Daily Notes- Monday May16th- Clouds with good chance of a STORM.

 What I strive for in the woods and garden beds.  there is laughter here........

I have been deadheading the daffodils.  Already finished.  No tulips as I would need to set bulbs under the frost line which, here in my yard, is 10 to 12 inches down.  I never could dig that far down.

Husband is going to attempt to cut the front grass with the walk behind mower.  Only the front grass.  And then tomorrow do another section.  This is what we agreed on..... he will forget.... now he tells me he has to go get gas.  It's over $5 a gallon now. I remember when it was 25 cents a gallon.  1968.

Library had slim pickings.  I got one book.

Only one Chicken Dinner at grocery- Chicken in short supply.  One of the old clerks told me it's hard to find any but they have tons of rotisserie chickens in the bins.  I could have gotten a chicken and then-- what to do with the legs and thighs????   Make new friends who eat legs and thighs?

Milk and yogurt shelves were bare but plenty of ice cream..  Eggs could also have been in short supply but I don't buy them.  I didn't check on Butter but possibly I should have bought some if they had any. I bought four big baking potatoes.  I have a tub of sour cream to use up. 

Patty has told me to come pull rhubarb as it is starting to flower.  Meaning it's at the end of it's best use by date.  But husband isn't eating dessert and I am not going to eat a whole pie by myself.  So I am not going to pick any.  

I had changed out the Winter Down Comforter for a Cotton Summer Quilt but we both were cold during the night. So I folded the quilt and got the light summer duvet out of the guest room and have it on the bed. Last night I had to get up and put on socks I was so cold.  I also pulled up the exercise mat that we trip over in the guest bedroom.  Husband hasn't done back exercises in a YEAR.  I also pulled the lawn chair he had in the corner out.... He has some expensive electrified back massage machine on it.  Waste of money.  

He is curling up and over into a semicolon.  Couldn't stand straight if you bet money on it.  I look down onto the top of his head.  I may have settled a bit but I think I still stand up straight.  The doctor doesn't measure height anymore.  They should.

Daily Notes- Sunday, May 15th--- No Party yesterday- today? Very cloudy with Good chance of Rain

 Applique?  looks like it.  Gives me Freedom to use old denim for the background.  Would be next to impossible to get the needle into unless it was almost worn thin.  I like this very very much.

Denim from very old, well worn shirts.  Not pants.  Got any in your rag bags????  

Overcast and dark outside.  Not raining but I think there was an abundance of overnight dew.  George has been here to plant more seeds.  One of the vegetable beds was invaded by an invasive perennial flower/weed- Lily of the Valley.  Soon the entire yard will be covered in it.  But right now- it is flowering and looking quite delicate and lovely.

Reading One Night on the Island by Josie Silver.  She has written One Day In December and The Two Lives of Lydia Bird--two books I LOVE.  This one- I am having some difficulty getting into it-- and the print in the Trade Paperback is very light.  Difficult for my old almost 76 year old eyes.  My eyes are tired and the air is dry.  Sigh.  This one set on a rocky island out in the ocean off the coast of Ireland.  Two people sharing a small cottage. He (from Boston) recently pushed out of his home (divorce) and missing his wife and two boys. She is turning 30 and has never had a serious relationship in her Entire Life.  They drink a lot of whiskey.

I have an itchy spot next to my left eye.  I need to stop touching it.

Oatmeal was good this morning.  Sunday paper was a great waste of Time. My coffee is okay. I've eaten all the Chicken Salad (yesterday). I can either make soup or vegetable pasta. Which means "cooking". Or not............and eat peanut butter.  Or make a box of Mac and Cheese and add some frozen vegetable. I'm out of peas.  Tomorrow I can buy stuff.  More frozen peas.  I do have yogurt.  I can have that with BranBuds.  Peanut Butter-Mac and Cheese- Yogurt and Bran Buds.  Wow.  All the Food Groups- NOT!!!

I also have a bag of Potato Chips.  And a can of Cosmos in the fridge.

Daily Notes- Saturday, May 14th- Sunshine. Windows Closed.

 Been interested in Vegetables for many, many years now- and--seriously wish I could grow some of my own.  But the soil here has run out of "good stuff" and doesn't actually want to grow "good stuff".  But I recall going into the garden years ago and finding my plants full of tomatoes.  Might happen again on the driveway.  Allie is bringing me plants one of these days.

George has planted Scarlett Runner Bean seeds.  I did years ago and nothing happened.  I hope George does a better job.  I think they attract some sort of insect that eats vegetables.  Japanese Beetles.

The "BIG" Birthday Party across the street is today.  The Boston part of the family is already here.  I think the New York part with the Birthday Baby is an hour South at a high school reunion.  20th. 

Just finished the last book in a three book series by Deveraux- this one backed into another series with As You Wish and these three unhappy women get to redo their lives by making a wish and going back in Time.  You know- where the landscape gardener plays Polo in the new Life???

I am now reading about a Bookstore in Scotland.  Lawyer asks sister to "fix" bookstore that is caked in dust and has no actual system for locating books on the cluttered shelving units.  It's also Christmas.  So they go up three or four stories in this old crusty building and find a wonderful old train set to put in the front window to attract customers-- who will buy what????????.  I love that they go get stuff from the Pound Shop.  (we have the dollar store).  A Pound Shop here in America would be something else entirely.

So....time to carry water out for George's Seedlings.  Then come in to rest up from carrying water.  The Resting takes more time than the Carrying.  And I have the Christmas Bookshop to read.  Colgan. George doesn't know this but I add Miracle Grow Blue stuff to the watering cans.  

Daily Notes- Friday, May 13th. Sunshine.

 Black Hole.  The new telescope?  I think, in the next year or two we are going to see some amazing things in Outer Space.  this one.....wow!!!  I really LOVE Outer Space.  NOVA.

I wrote the wrong date on two checks I just wrote for bills.  Hopefully, the mail delivery will be so slow they will get there on that date???   I think that's "postdating"?  People did that when they wrote checks with no money in the bank. Hoping the bank would hold them until that date....I don't think anyone reads checks anymore.  Just shove them in a machine.

My upper right chest hurts.  Don't know why.  My car battery is really dead.  Husband had to drive me. I kinda wanted to go alone.  I needed to buy a new bottle (bear) of honey for my neighbor as I used up most of hers. (that I borrowed).  I am going to sit on the couch now and just breath in and out.

Husband is out filling the bird feeders.  I already watered the seedlings and my very slow growing rhubarb plants.  I will need to buy rhubarb in order to make a pie. Do I have the energy to actually bake a pie???

So that's all from here.  The bees are still buzzing in the Rhodie out front near last summer's Grass Growing Project (the grass looks feeble C minus or D plus.).  I cut a few branches of Rhodie and tucked them in with the Peach tree branches.  Perhaps a BEE or two will visit and pollinate??? I did the same with the Plum tree behind the garage. One can always HOPE.........that's what Gardening is all about.

That's all.  Now the COUCH.

Daily Notes- Thursday, May 12th--- A very Sunny, Warm Day

 I love vegetables.   Isn't this a most excellent piece of Art?

We got up early for my Dental Appointment at 8:50.  Teeth Cleaning.  Next visit will be X-rays, repair of a chipped tooth and teeth cleaning.   It was an excellent experience but tired me out.

Next week, on Thursday a 90 minute Eco-cardiogram (I might not have the name right).  They didn't want to wait.  I think they might have been right not to wait.

Then the Library to return books and select ONE.  Jamie Oliver's Ultimate Veg.  My Maine PBS station rarely has Oliver's cooking shows in their lineup.  But last Summer they had 4 episodes and it was a delight to see Jamie again.  No longer boyish.  Large family.  Weird but interesting old kitchen.  And I liked the vegetable dishes he made.  So...I can see if any in the book interest me.

I bought baked chicken breasts - healthy- and then finely shredded the meat and added mayo and honey.  Now not so healthy.  But I think the baked chicken was a bit salty- which is another reason not to buy things from the Deli.  But I didn't add any. Salt.  A McDonald's wife from South Carolina made this one week we all met up and enjoyed a Rutland Vermont Summer on a Lake with another McDonald's couple and his daughter and one grandchild and another on the way.  Really old house was full.  I have made and eaten baked chicken like this ever since.   

I was in charge of the Lamb Chops.  I used to make them often for my husband on the grill and I would marinate the chops over night in lemon juice, garlic and really good olive oil.  Packing the chops together in a container. Then I had a way of grilling them- standing the chops up on the bone after getting some grill marks on both sides.  The Vermont Lamb Lovers were sucking the bones.  I did good..

I carried water to the garden for the seeds that have started to sprout.  Very warm today so I will stay in the house.  Read or fall asleep.  Or both.  Supposed to rain Saturday.  Hope it rains on Friday or Sunday- as a two year old is having a birthday party across the street on Saturday.  

Daily Notes- Wednesday, May 11th. No where to go today. Just water the seedlings.

 The sun is shining.  Life goes on.  Tomorrow the Dentist for me.  Not my favorite thing.

I started TODAY with a nice Hot Shower.   My hair even got conditioner.  And I remembered to comb it. I usually towel dry and forget to comb it.  Then during the day I walk past something reflective and notice my hair is all over the place.  Today it's combed. I wonder how often I have gone to the grocery with my hair uncombed?????

I'm not sure what the weather is.  It's still not "open the windows" but I guess I could open a few windows.

My chore list today is just watering the seedlings in the back garden.  I cut chives a few days ago for my baked potatoes.  I ate the last one yesterday.  I had a yogurt and Bran Buds for lunch and the last potato for dinner with sour cream and chives.  A few cups of sweet tea. I am reading an old Deveraux.  About an old house in Virginia and some bad guys.  It's not her best work.  Too many extra bits getting the story line confused. I have three more in the pipeline.  Next up is Thayer.  Another Nantucket author but Thayer has a thing for Crock Pots. Law and Order was tedious.  So I turned the tv off.

My ears are ringing. Very annoying. Perhaps that's why I turn on the tv.  To cover the ear ringing.???

Well, I stopped here to write to you....and need to go make my oatmeal before my blood sugar tanks and I do a face plant into the wood floors.  I will have to make food to eat the next few days.  Soup or Pasta. I have lettuce but forgot to buy salad dressing.  I know I can make my own..........will I???? Good Question.

Daily Notes- Tuesday, May 10th---Back from Doctor visit- Lantana. Yes!!

 Nasturtiums.  Thank you for remembering the Lantana...

Back from Pulmonary appointment.  Not the Doctor.  Got the New PA.  She had trouble finding my blood pressure.  We eventually got it the old fashioned way.  After trying the machine twice.

The PA asked questions.......interesting ones I had never been quizzed on before.  And then scheduled an exam of my HEART.   Perhaps.......it was always my heart?  I don't know.  Anyway.  Her eyes got very intense when she was asking about rescue inhaler use and I gave a quite normal account of something that happens often... Chopping carrots or cooking and having to go sit on the couch as I am light headed and dizzy.  Yesterday it was while getting potatoes ready to bake in the oven. After awhile, I can get up and finish what I was doing- or if it's complicated- I take a second rest period.  That isn't asthma.  But those were always my symptoms.  It will take awhile to schedule.

I asked if we could stop to buy hard candy and books in the Town across the Bridge.  No candy.  but I bought five trade paper books.  Because.....I have money and why not spend it????

Husband used his iPad while I was at my appointment (he wanted to stay in the car so he intended to use it).  By the time I got back to the car- he was very confused.......trying to get home by driving in a circle.  I finally asked him to please go back to the hospital and drive home the regular way.  There was little traffic.  He had gotten it into his head that there would be traffic because when we arrived there had been an accident- on a one way street we would NOT use going home.  It happened that fast.  I would like to smash the iPad but I might have to use it in the weeks ahead.  That's why I wanted candy and books.

The battery in my car is charging.  It goes dead because I rarely drive anymore.  I have husband drive as that way I know where he is and what he is doing.  Even if it's stressful to have him drive in a circle sometimes.

Daily Notes- Monday May 9th. Sunshine.

 My favorite Annuals.

Up earlier than husband and hoped to get to Grocery and Library very quickly on my own.  My car battery is dead again.  I hardly ever drive the car as I try and have husband drive me to and from my appointments (so he gets the Need To Drive out of his system).  I have to set up a reminder to back the car out and let it run on the driveway until the battery is charged fully AFTER we get it started.

I managed to get 5 Chicken Parm Meals.  He had two in the fridge.  All is Right With The World--for the next 7 days.  I also bought him bottles of lemonade.

I have an idea for cloth.  Trying to transition to Spring Work Outdoors and then remain inside the house during Air Conditioner Months and NOT read a Book A Day.  When I can't breathe outdoors. Which is ALL of Summer.  I looked for something I might want to add to the landscaping at the Grocery Outdoor Plant risers.  Everything was Pink and White.  As you can see I like Magenta Pink and Golden Orange.

I cannot remember the name of this Plant.

I don't have the Grass Growing Project this year.  That took up a lot of SPACE in each Day.. and after- I had to REST for a few hours and just stare calmly at the living room ceiling until I could breathe easily. Which is why I started watching the Boston Sports Talk Show.

I have to do a Load of Laundry today.  Daughter dropped off two pair of work pants needing repairs. I will use the NEW VERY MIGHTY needles Connie sent me.  The Pants are Heavy Duty.  Daughter also carried her over wintered plants down from the upstairs bathroom and took them home to her house.

Tomorrow Morning we drive to the Big Hospital west of us and I get My Lungs Checked.  It's a long drive.  And I think I will be given the Breathing Stress Test.  I'm not sure I will get to see the doctor.  I rarely do. But if I fail......I probably will...I hope there is medicine to help.    Fingers Crossed.

Daily Notes- Sunday May 8th. Happy Mother's Day.....Sunshine here in Maine.

 Image of an old Beehive (Birdhouse).  The Bees here in Maine are busy.  Rhododendron are in massive bloom. The magenta one out in the front is alive with bees.  And then they tumble off the plant to rest  in the grass after overfilling themselves with nectar.  I wondered (to husband) if someone in the next neighborhood had hive.

I had considered having one- but actually- I'm not a fan of Honey.

I had some dreaming thoughts for the Herb Beds out back- now that they are cleaned up- ready for planting.  One will have Blue Pansies.  One will have the French lavender- which has stayed alive on the back indoor porch all Winter and is starting to flower.  It's looking rangy and wild and unhappy in it's clay pot.  I will be buying more herbs.  And some additional flowering things.

Today is Mother's Day.  It's a Day when I wish I had had more than two children.  Like a house full of them.  The odds that I could have become a GrandMother would have been more in my favor.  I didn't even get to be a Mother in Law.  Maybe Next Life if there is such a thing.

Daughter snagged a new (old, used) frying pan at the Dump.  Cleaned up it looks pretty decent and she says it's very heavy.  That is ALWAYS a good thing with a frying pan.  I could have given her one of mine but- she likes finding her own stuff.

I bought myself some Brown Rice Vegetable Sushi for dinner and for dessert a Tiramisu Square.  I also bought sliced bread in case I want TOAST.  My Breakfast Oatmeal was perfect.  I might have a second cup of coffee. 

Happy Day to all who have done the hard work of taking care of, loving, and raising a child.  Or a grandchild.  Or an orphan.  Or a kid at work who needed you.  Or an adult who needed a mother or a brother or sister......

Daily Notes- Saturday, May 7th- No sun, as yet.

 This is the type of work I did in College Art Classes. Print Making Class.  But, more beginner and not as great as this is.  But it's what I was trying to do.  I was just too uneducated or knowledgeable about things.  I didn't have a logbook of experience in my head to work from.  I love the strong trees and the more ambiguous birds in the sky.  I didn't even know the word "ambiguous" back then.

I could just draw something like this.  Skip the plate, the etching and the inking.  I don't have a press. But I sure would love access to one.

I need the third book in the Deveraux Brides Series.  Ever After. I am going to the library.

Daughter snagged two outdoor 1960's-70's chairs for her side deck.   They look like sophisticated wire half egg shapes.  The Dump, again.  She texted me photos and then called to tell me how comfortable they are. Especially after a full day of weeding and raking.  She's working today as well, on an extra client's property.

Daughter knows where there are shelves of used copies of Deveraux.  So...eventually I will have these books in my book case.

I am existing on bowls of Bran Flakes and Milk and Noosa Yogurt and Bran Buds ( breakfast is still oatmeal).  Salad still seems too COLD.  I have enough vegetables to make soup.  Or Stanley Tucci's Sofrito Pasta.  One or the other.  Both will have pasta.  I guess both G and I are eating a severely Limited Diet.

Changed the bandage on his finger.  I will refrain from publishing pictures.

Daily Notes- Friday May 6th Sunshine.

 This is as close to Heaven On Earth as it gets for me.  A borrowed image. A fantasy.

I spent more Time than usual in the fenced garden with George.  He weeded and cleaned beds of leaves etc.  We talked- well, mostly I talked.  We filled two big containers with soil from the soil heap to grow zucchini and yellow squash.  The soil will heat up faster in the pots than in the ground. I helped.  I also carried water to the garden and watered the seedlings.  I also filled the dog's water bowl. George's Dog. Nice to have a Dog Visit.

George and I made Garden Plans.  It felt...almost normal.

Next week I visit the Pulmonary Doctor- Lungs and then, two days after- I get to visit the Dentist-Teeth.

I rearranged the border pieces of the puzzle husband is doing.  He had made some mistakes- the border wasn't a rectangle.  Now it is.  It's an old puzzle from when we lived in Germany.  My two children worked on puzzles on the pool table.  Stretched out on top of the felt. The first two years when they hated everything about being in Europe. Possibly the first three years. 

I should go find another puzzle-  The steps in the library are too steep for me.  I could take the elevator. Puzzles are on the second floor.  Non-Fiction.

Daily Notes- Thursday, May 5th- Absolutely Nothing Scheduled....plus the rain stopped and the Sun is back.

Today's Front Page of the newspaper:  Maine has Nation's highest COVID 19 Daily Infection rate.  710 new cases per day.  Who needs vaccinations ?  Who needs to wear a mask?  I get tired of the Oppositional Aggression of my fellow Mainers.  So I stay away. Because some are very aggressive.  Some are up into your face.  Not going out is best.  For me. Let them make each other sick.

No images of cloth work.  I got stalled out by the "usual" suspect........not finding the right cloth.  Right side up or wrong side up.  Just nothing was right.  So I stopped.

I turned the Magic Attic Closet into a Crime Scene.  Looking.  Bringing stuff down to the Little Office Closet. And then not having any useable shelf space.  Now it's on the floor.  The only other empty space in the office is in direct sunlight.  Fading.  Can't do that.

Speed Racer just showed up to do the Spring Lawn/Yard Clean up across the street.  He runs all the equipment at maximum speed.  Racing around- it's something to watch.  He offered to do our cleanup as well.  But......He makes us dizzy.  He'll be over there for 20 minutes and do the front and back and side yard.  

Reading Jude Deveraux.  I'd forgotten I liked her books.

Daily Notes- Still May 4th

 Back from Urgent Care and husband's "Blister" which he got a few days ago by smashing his finger with a hammer- has been examined by a lovely ER Doctor and opened and drained and bandaged.  It was a wonderful experience.  And now we are  back home and I am having a cup of very sweet tea.  Yep..

Daily Notes- May 4th. Raining with a Good Chance of visiting Urgent Care.

 Once Upon a Time I wished for a greenhouse.  Somewhere on this four acre piece of land. It never happened.  And I doubt it would be used by anyone other than rodents.  Possibly to start seeds.  And then the wood would rot. Maine is excellent for rotting wood.  Damp. So Damp.

We are going to the Urgent Care across the bridge.  The blister on husband's finger is looking grey.  Not good and It's Wednesday- and all the doctors have the day off.  Well, husband's doctor.  It's not Hot or Red or any other bad symptom.  But the nurse thinks "grey" isn't a good thing.  We'll see. I take my First Aid Seriously.  I have been changing the bandaid every day.

Sunshine yesterday and husband cleaned out the Herb Bed Squares for me.  Chives are up and tall and some Tarragon- two in the square and one escaped to another square and will need to be relocated.  I've tried Dill and Cilantro and Parsley.  They hardly ever germinate- well, they do in the milk jugs but I procrastinated and didn't start any seeds.  I like having Dill for Pickles and Parsley for- well, I don't know what but have no use for Cilantro.  Not much use for Tarragon.  I just like having a Herb Garden. It's some thing a Master Gardener should have.  The IDEA of a Herb Garden.  I might just plant flowers.

Buy Herbs as needed.  Whatever I plant will make the bees happy.  Pollinate the Grapes and Blueberries. that's why I have a Herb Garden.  Bees.  Not very many Bees these days.

The Crab Apple trees have tiny leaves.  The Forsythia is all yellow.  The Rhodie is nice and pink/purple.  Hundreds of Daffodils in white, pale yellow and dark deep gold with orange centers.  It's very Clown Pants out there- no design at all.  I like it.

Read Josh and Hazel's Guide To Not Dating (each other) yesterday.  Christina Lauren.  I love their books. Two friends- Lauren and Christina.  They write together.  Josh and Hazel set up blind dates for each other and then double date. It's sweet and messy and funny and the ending is just perfect.  I have more Jude Devereau to read on the pile.  I'll take one to urgent care with me.

Daily Notes- Tuesday, May 3rd-- Chilly, Overcast with Chance of rain.

 Well.......thank you for the comments......so much.  I had to dig in hard to get here today.  The computer was on and everything but the blog would NOT load....... 

I scrubbed and filled the two birdbaths.  The birds tend to poop while they sip water. I guess they don't follow the "don't shit where you eat" rule.  A few have taken great splashing baths.  And the one out front- I think any passing deer drink all the water. I have the smell of birdbaths in my nose.  Smell memory is another thing I have.

Yesterday...I washed two loads and changed the bedsheets.  One load was all husband's garden work pants.  Typing is difficult and the computer is finishing off words before I finish typing.  So, if I miss a few of the weird words....sorry.  The new spray and wash is actually living up to the words on the front of the bottle!!

I used to be excellent at the inner workings and habits of all the different computers we have owned and used. All Apples from that first Mac- the little rectangular box- Macintosh......I used it.  It's still up in the Attic.  Not the first year ones which grab $$$ when sold.  But the second one Jobs put out.  I had an Apple laptop before this desktop.  I hated it.  I like this desktop because it was what I was used to at work.  Where I typed for the Advertising part of a daily newspaper.  I hate Microsoft. 

I didn't do well in high school typing class.  I didn't type my own college papers.  But now I type everything and hardly look down at the keyboard- unless I think about it.....then I have to look.  I use all the right fingers on all the right keys.  It's such a strange thing.  How did it happen? I know typing is a "body memory" thing.  But it's always interested me how I came to be typing all the time. In every job.

And those who proofread my work- rarely found any errors (which I found to be weird- so I proofread my work a second time to be sure).  I actually "know" when I've typed something wrong.  When the computer itself changes things- I don't know.

Netgear just shut itself off and then back on.  I am going to hit publish...........

Daily Notes- Monday May 2nd.-- Sunshine and a very slow internet

 Connections. Even between plants.  I love that these tow are holding on to each other.

My computer is failing.  It took quite a bit of time and patience to get here this morning.  I had been looking for a book on the library website and then things just stopped.  Like being stuck in mud.  I knew from experience- to just sit and wait- but that is difficult when one is in panic mode.

So...here we are.  Nearly at the end.  Until I find help to get something new.  That isn't hard- but getting it going is. I have all my passwords and all your addresses.  But still......

I feel like the image up top is more meaningful as I contemplate the Future.  More tearful. I would miss you all so much even though I don't know most of you.  At all.  Readership is down- was 300 in March /April and now is 10 or so people visiting.  I have gotten dull and boring.

It's Monday and I have grocery shopping and library.  I have to go.  I hope I can come back later.  All my Love to all of you!!!!!

Daily Notes- sunday May 1st- Sunshine and Chilly- Need a Sweater.

Not mine.  But I love the root vegetable-ness of this image.  It makes me want to buy a beet or turnip with leaves  and paint. That might be what happens.  Looking at the root vegetable bins at the grocery in a new way. No cloth yesterday.  I started to wonder what I would do with the cloth (eventually)........I came up with "nothing" and sort of ran out of gas.......and interest.  But I could finish the borders.  I guess.

I carried the two French Watering Cans down to the fenced garden to water the seedlings already.  Only one type- the beets have emerged.  The carrots- not at all.  When I taught classes- I suggested "strongly" to the students that they pre-start carrot seeds.  On damp paper towels in plastic bags on top of the refrigerator. When they saw the first sign of emerging root hairs- then plant the seeds in the garden soil.  Even on top of the fridge, in the house, in plastic with damp paper- it took quite awhile.  Out there in the Garden- alone?  Might never happen. George came to check and seemed disappointed and left.

I am not ready to run hose down to the garden. Hardly anything has broken into leaf or bud.

We have a Solo Male Turkey visiting.  He meanders across the back lawn. And sometime around the house, across the lawn and then into the street and over to the wooded lot there. Last year, there were dozens of small turkey babies (chicks?) and their mothers.  Carpeting the lawn each day. Perhaps they aren't old enough yet???  Or some predator in the woods ate them. That song "Don't go into the woods alone" from my childhood...........

Another okay book yesterday- The Worst Best Man.  And the Chinese Food.  Today it's back to same old-same old.  Episode of Vera to watch.  There is a backlog of PBS in the TiVo recording file plus a few recorded movies.  I don't have the attention span for tv.  I drift...don't pay attention.  I have two strange choices in books on the table--not my usual.  I had best just get it over with and try them out.  Tomorrow is Library Day.   No reserve to pick up.  I will most likely fall back and choose books I read over and over.

They have made a movie of When The Crawdad's Sing.  I love the book.  I don't think I will love the movie.

Daily Notes- Saturday, April 30th. Overcast and chilly. Dunkel as we said in Germany

 Try Out.  I don't know why but I am attracted to gray, white and orange.  I should look for a (Gack!!!) orange sweater???  And when did rosy red start looking good with orange????????

No crying this morning.  I might have worked my way out of it.  I have a strong survival gene, I guess. and we are ordering Chinese takeout today.  Wow.  (we are one chicken dinner short of a week and Chinese will make it okay (!!!) - working with the memory impaired is like a game of Clue).  I have my fingers crossed the the grocery has 7 chicken dinners on Monday's shopping trip or I will have to shop several days next week.

COVID is spiking here in Maine.  They are not wearing their masks in group gatherings.  People are dying.  Not just getting sick...they are dying.  This surge as they call it began at Christmas.  It's now rolling like a large rock down a steep hill.  I point out and read aloud from these stories in the morning paper...so a certain man who wants to "go places and see things" gets the hint.  It isn't safe.

My daughter went to the local island dump near the places they landscape. Locals call it the Mall.  It's just a shack with stuff people no longer want.  She found a $300 pair of Bean boots with scuffed toes yesterday.  Otherwise brand new. They fit with her inserts and she now has boots for the landscaping season.  They looked really nice in the photo she sent.  She found a wool and cashmere sweater with leather elbow patches a few years ago.  It never fit any of us...but this Christmas it fit someone and they were so very very happy.  It's a Maine thing to call the Dump the Mall.

I only got to visit once- while I was helping with landscape work.  Only open one day a week.  Never my day. But it was interesting. I passed up a citrus squeezing/juicing machine.  I would never have used it-but...I still wanted it. It had a sort of Architectural Look.  Vintage.  Would have cluttered up the counter top- And I don't squeeze Citrus.  I--I can't think of the word.  I Supreme.  Look it up.

Daily Notes- Friday, August 29th. Sunshine. No wind. Now Clouds moving in.

 This one is getting sides.  One more going on.  A green I created myself.  With leaves and steam. Now that I see the left side cloth here- I am taking it off.  Does nothing.  Adds nothing.  The interior is made from the clippings of the Valentine painted cloth- after I cut out the hearts.  Seemed a shame to waste them.  I have said all this before.  Having no one to talk to in real life- I tend to repeat myself.  

Yes, that left side is going.  Having them here is a good thing.  I can "fact check" my choices.

I enjoyed the French Ice Cream.  It's not from France.  It's referred to as "French" because of the way it's made.  With lots of eggs.  So...an egg filled ice cream is a French Ice Cream.  It was lovely.  I had the Praline Butter Cake flavor.  Next time the Pistachio one.  I think they have five flavors.  Five weeks.

White vehicles next door.  Two trucks and an SUV.  No additional PODS or moving van.

I start each day- in tears.  I am getting tired of it.

I need to get out of the house.  Walk.  Water the seedlings.  Would be nice to speak to a Human. In person. But even if I go out for a walk....I won't see anyone.  I never see anyone walking anymore.  I guess having a dog- I got out more.  Several walks each day.  Riley was interested in seeing people. Social Animal. Husband is returning from his appointment getting his hair cut.  I haven't eaten breakfast yet. All, that's it for me today.  Hopefully, Law and Order will be on.

Daily Notes- Thursday, April 28th- Sunshine

 Right side up and stuff removed.  The blue orb removed and tryout of a green one.  

It was a search for fabric and can't find anything day.  Always a real pain.  There was season two Law and Order.  The women had broad shouldered suits on and BIG HAIR.  the use of "computers" was- as always- hilarious in these ancient episodes.

I had additional time to mend this threadbare spot on the right bottom of my favorite sweater in the entire World- even Universe.  I did not have time to look for a button to replace the one I am missing.  I also did not have patience to find matching thread.  Yarn.  This little ball was available.  I used it.  You can't tell but it had a lot of gray and black in the mix with the red and cream.   Tomorrow I'll show you the sleeve edge repair.

I would tell you what I ate yesterday but I don't remember.  I think I had yogurt.  Raspberry with Bran Buds.  Today I am thinking about pancakes.  I would have salad but I am already COLD and having COLD food wouldn't be a great idea.  the yogurt was cold and now I am thinking Pancakes.

Daily Notes- April 27th- Wednesday. Dark, Dark Raining Day!!! Soaking Rain-

 Worked on this while Fontana and Green tracked down killers on Law and Order.  this went a bit crazy but...even as I had it pinned to the desk chair and looked over at it....I removed only one small thing and just kept going.  The lower right, long leaf is only pinned.  I might remove the smaller leaf- I don't like it.

And...just noticing...the image is upside down. Because the orange rectangle is too heavy to be up on top. On my ottoman it's right side up.  And that small blue orb is upper right.

I thought there was a rotating element on here but I guess not.  I am not in the mood to start over.

I slept well and had an entertaining morning writing something in my head and out loud.  Not on paper.

I am a verbal writer.  Does that make sense?  I think I would be intimidated by a voice recorder but I know that some authors write their books this way.  It was a very funny story.  Started out as one thing and then became something quite different.

Husband went out solo in the car yesterday afternoon.......I worried.  He was gone longer than I expected.  The upside- no NEW first aid.  I just had to change the bandage from the previous day.  Rain has kept him inside two days now and when I got up late for breakfast he was already napping on the couch.  He doesn't like rain.  I do.  The grass needed it.  

Daily Notes- Tuesday April 26th- Cold with possibility of Rain

 I spent countless minutes yesterday looking for the fabric I used to make the thin horizontal stripes.  Nope. So now, I have to backup....start over.   Now looking for a stripe that has some sort of compatible color vibe or is complimentary or is so NOT that it explodes this cloth......  I have a entire shelf, deep, with stripes.  Can you believe that none of them works here?????  So....as always I have to use a fabric that does not work well with others.  Does not play well.  This is a bit larger than a sheet of copy paper.  A rectangle--Ish.  I might square it up with various sizes of borders.  One of two.

I read Fast women again.  Still moving thru Crusie books.  I have Bet Me next up.  Saving it for a really shitty day- which could be in a few hours.  I am very very fatigued.  My bones ache.  It's, at times, a struggle to walk and breathe.  I also have this annoying vague ringing in my ears.  I can't even enjoy peace and quiet.  Sucks to be me today.  Law and Order is okay but not my favorite season.

So. I won't bore you.  I don't do my best posts writing when I am feeling like this.  If I was 4 years old- I would suggest no sugar and a long nap.

I very nearly pushed everything off my side of the dining room table after I finished my oatmeal- a table we both use for eating  and for desk work.  I pay bills etc.  Instead I put ¼ of the offensive stuff into the shredder.  Sorted the bills- that f...king TruGreen......and the car insurance.  I really WISH I was a NAPPER.  I could really benefit from a good NAP.  It would be restful, quiet, and whatever happens while I am napping- I would not be aware until asked to get out the First aid kit.  Like yesterday.

Daily Notes-- Monday, April 25th. Overcast with Troubled Minds

 So...Monday, Monday.   Breathing is a problem today. I used the rescue inhaler.  I felt too warm, the mask made it hard to breath in library and grocery store.  I used a paper one- surgical- since numbers for COVID are up I didn't want to risk it with the homemade mask.. Rising steadily since they got rid of the mask mandate.  More and more people minus masks. More people getting infected.

I didn't buy hot dogs.  Or buns. Or bread.  I did find my lactate free milk--finally.  I did find coffee cream in the small cartons. I got two.  Six chicken dinners for husband- it would have been better to find 7.  Six yogurts.  He had enough of everything else- which is bagels and orange juice.   I was also instructed to buy lemonade.  I got three bottles.  I have been eating Bran Flakes and milk for supper.

I might make something like the cloth at the top of this post.  With a stripe around the edges of the squares. Makes the whole surface look quite BUSY.  I am wondering how big the inside square are???

I was dreaming this morning.  Revisionistic thinking.  Revising how the past was......imagining a different story.

I noticed a hole in the pants I am wearing now that it's Spring.  I let go of the heavy cord pants and am now in the threadbare worn-out mossy green LLBean cord pants.  There was a hole by the end of the zipper.  This is typical of LLBean Quality.  I patched it with black felt inside and beige thread on top.  I had not eaten breakfast as yet- threading the machine was way past my optimum activity levels.  Then I colored the beige thread with pens.  Some brown and some green.  Good Enough.

Still can't find a can of Endust.  I am assuming they stopped making the stuff.  No one actually dusts anymore.  The Swiffer collects dust and then lets it float way.  Those commercials on tv aren't telling the truth when they shake the Swiffer cloth and the dust stays put.  Or I am not using a Swiffer cloth.  Now. I need to investigate.   I'll let you know what I ate for Lunch.  Tomorrow.

Daily Notes- Sunday, April 24th- sunshine- watered the seedlings in the back fenced garden.

 I'm making a sort of "promise" here and it will be interesting if I can keep it.....to put original work of my OWN here for the remainder of April.  Possibly into a bit of June. I'd packed the cloth stuff up........

I am struggling.  My lungs are struggling. To Breathe.  My right hip and thigh are weaker than ever before due to a side car crash more than 50 years ago.  I am never sure the right leg will carry the weigh. (I might need a cane)  It wobbles.  It gives way.  It's loose.  I had to try three pairs of pants this morning before I found a pair that would zip. I have traded the sweater for a cotton work shirt--but still wearing a thermal long sleeve under it.  This is Maine.  My Winter blood is thin and cold.

I went back to that Crusie I didn't like.  I skipped ahead twenty pages and then it was fine.  I even liked it. I read Manhunting again.  I might have to buy it.  I just like the parts of the story where they spend the morning in the row boat under a willow branch and sleep.  Well, nap.  And drink beer or juice (the gal drank a few too many cans of beers and almost tipped the boat over when she decided to stand up- so after that she had to have juice.).  Eat apples.  Read. It's a great way to have a relationship. I may have said all this before- I'm getting old and senile.....

I have no idea what is next.  Two books are waiting. I also have a 7 day that needs returning tomorrow.

Connie- I will Try to add another border to that square.  Maybe not all in one day- but by hand and slowly. It may require finding other cloth.  That takes up so much time.  Finding.  So many places to look.  It's better when I have limited resources to the left of where I sit.  And a dog sleeping on my feet.

I might just grab a handful of DebL's magical dye deck cloth scraps.  if I use themt- I can beg for more?????

Daily Notes- Saturday, April 23rd--- Sunshine and Cold.

 The square and the addition of shirt salvage borders.  I still need to sew that one side on.  I think I was considering this to someday become- a nine patch--inside a nine patch--inside a nine patch etc.  It could still happen with a nine patch added after the borders.  I am also considering that the nine patches- like the center-do not need to be of equal size.

My book yesterday was Jennifer Crusie's Manhunting.   A very successful (lonely) career woman is sent to a resort in Kentucky to "find a man" and get married.  She looks over the eligible men and makes one date per day.  She also naps in a boat with one of the resort owners but she actually thinks he mows the golf course.  Usually after she has too many cans of beer (in the boat) instead of breakfast.  It's an old row boat on the river.  After the morning napping in the row boat she showers and goes on the "date of the day".  Usually the siren on the ambulance alerts the residents that the "date" is over.  Great book.  The other Crusie I ordered from a far away library- awful- I could not get past the first two pages Strange Bedfellows. Ugh. I also didn't care to read Crazy for You a second time.  I have Fast Women and Bet Me. I finished off Agnes and the Hitman- for a second time before returning the book. Crusie Week.

The Wedding Crasher was excellent.  I ordered the author's first book. Another wedding. Something to do with the best man.  I think I have already met the people involved-  eventually she will write a story for each of the main characters as writers do.....

I am almost done with my hot dogs.  I will eventually have to think of something else to eat. I didn't buy bread just because I don't want to make grilled cheese.  I could make steamed rice with frozen vegetable of the day- mixed, corn or peas.  Or I could toss a large handful of the foraged spinach leaves in to the pot to steam and wilt.  Well, that sounds worse than it might taste or appear.

I watered the seedlings in the big fenced garden yesterday.  The beets are up. Tiny with the two seed leaves. I had to hunt down the two French watering cans first-- then fill each twice at the sink in the garage and carry them down to the garden.  Getting the hoses up and running seemed to be over kill.  And the French cans give a gentle sprinkle. The back lawn has been churned up by skunks.  Eating grubs.  It's a mess.  A real mess. And guess what? I'm not going to waste any time on fixing it.  ZERO grass growing projects in 2022.  ZERO.  Someday my friend Allie will drive over with my Tomato plants. I told her whatever she had left over was fine with me. All the varieties were excellent. I need to clean the herb beds.

Daily Notes- April 22nd. Woke with Sunshine and not a few hours later- dark clouds.

 I am reading a 7 day book from the "we aren't going to buy these books" section of the new books my Library "rents".  The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa.   A gal working a wedding overhears two people talking- one is the groom to be and then she overhears the bride with a guy who begs her not to get married.  There is no love in the upcoming marriage of convenience.  So...at the point where the minister asks if anyone .......the Crasher does.  She says they have doubts and shouldn't marry.

Then the fun begins- I hope.  The Crasher  now has to pretend to be the love interest who stopped the wedding.  The language and the behavior here is not my "usual".  But there is chemistry.  And I give full props to any writer who can manufacture chemistry before even getting to page 50.

The "Crasher " and the guy who didn't get married are now practicing "knowing" each other before the full press "Lying To Everyone" so the guy can score a law partnership.  Just his coffee order is enough to end the whole experiment. A nonfat soy latte with an extra shot, one pump of honey blend and caramel drizzle.

I also had hot dogs for late lunch/early dinner.  No extra shot. No drizzle. 

My new neighbors have lost interest in emptying the first two PODs in their driveway..  A random guy stopped over yesterday to wiggle the locks on the PODS.  I contemplated a call to the Police.  The new neighbors are "not in residence" so I doubt they would take kindly to POD Lock wiggling???? But it might be a thing that I know nothing about.........

My oatmeal was pretty darn good this morning with an extra shot of milk.

Daily Notes- Thursday, April 21st. Cool, Sunshine. Trees considering making leaves.

 A little collaged map.  Looks like it would be fun to make.  Have I used this image already?????

I hand sewed three edges on a very thin old nine patch. The no-button edge of an old blue linen shirt.  I keep all the parts I cut off shirts- I like the flat pieces but hate getting rid of the button strips and the collars and yokes.  So, yesterday the button edge got cut into strips and sewn on as a border. Buttons go into a canning jar.  Waste not...want not.

While watching season two episodes of Law and Order.  Lennie and Noth and Hand Sewing.

I'm having hot dogs for lunch today.  Looking forward to it.

Reading.  Finishing up the second or third reading of Agnes and the Hitman.  Next up is a 7 day loan book- The Wedding Crasher.  Got to read fast.  Sometimes the 7 day loan books are great........these are books the library borrows but doesn't purchase.  Meaning they never go into the forever collection.  Not that there seems to be much "forever" going on in the collection these days.  Just saying........ they has a great one- Second First Impressions that I took out so many many times........Teddy.  I miss him.

I'm going to get in the car and go pick up a few books for husband.  He doesn't like the puzzle I bought and he has no books.  Word Search puzzles only hold his interest for so long...... then the tablet beckons.  Which I try very hard to discourage.

I also need to concoct a salad dressing for my Foraged Spinach Leaves.  I could go old School Work Lunch on the dressing which was Balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper.  How I mix it is pretty damn delicious.  So...why not?  I did want Caesar but....no fish here in the house.  There was something I made with Mayo, Ranch Dressing and Cheese.   That could also be good.  But is it warm enough for a cold salad????  I get all "chilly" just considering it.

Daily Notes- Wednesday , April 20. Rained all day yesterday and today the Sun is shining.

 Pickles cartoons strike a bit too close to home these days.  Our recycle container looks like the trash container he's searching.  We tend to lose something once a week...minimum.

Three PODS were being delivered next door while we ate breakfast..... and now two --quite ordinary--older people are carrying boxes into the garage.  My cross the street neighbor said the fine print on the trucks mentioned remedial water damage repair and several other things plus deep cleaning.  

I had to admit that a 104 year old woman and a guy working with handicapped children all day at school- would not be keeping a house really clean.......so deep cleaning and not security cameras. So I've climbed down from my hysterical ranting.  Two old retired people. Here and There.  Everywhere.

Life was pretty exciting for two weeks but now I can see...this street is just so so dull. Perfectly suited to the new retired people.  Quiet.  the Twin Boys are the only bright spot-- 

Tru Green actually arrived (while we were out doing errands yesterday morning) and treated OUR lawn and not a neighbor or someone else living in a house marked 12.  They left the hang tag on the door and notes on lawn care and I saw sprinkled white things on the lawn.  It was un believable.

I purchased Women's Daily Vitamins at the grocery store.  Took the first one today with breakfast.  I haven't had Vitamins since prenatal days.  So exciting....(not)  I also bought a new set of tweezers and tweezed.  I also sewed some cloth.  Nothing amazing.  But it felt good to do it.  Law and Order minus the dog is not really as great as it used to be........... Connie sent size 18 needles for machine sewing jeans and knee patches on daughter's Carhart pants.   Connie is so thoughtful ..how did I get so lucky to have her in my Life???

Daily Notes- April 19th- It's Raining and Cold here in Maine.

 Black and White for this Dark and Windy and Wet Day.   Yesterday was lovely.  We had the door open to change the air here in the house.  It was nice.  I have all the lamps on here in the house.

TruGreen Trudy called and left a message that we would be getting a Lawn Treatment today at 9:30 am. Didn't happen- or it did...only at the wrong house.  Our guy tends to go to the wrong house.  We only know that because the last time he treated a lawn- it was next door and the lawyer who lives there brought the service ticket over to us.  And any treatment would be under last year's contract.  I refuse to send them any more money......I  only got one of the five treatments last season.  But you know all this...

My Walking Buddy from years ago- has something wrong with her foot- she thinks perhaps a broken bone.  She is going to an Orthopedic place today to have her foot checked out. She's a few years older than I am.  

I test high on bone density exams (and I am never comforted by the shock and surprise by the technician doing the testing).  I do eat dairy products every day.  My friend is a vegetarian and I am not sure she eats any dairy.   My husband eats his candy yogurt each day and his back is already curved and he walks with his head down.  He complains of back/spine pain.  I don't think the small daily serving of candy yogurt will make much improvement. He has an exercise ball that he could use to stretch on but he refuses.

I asked him a difficult question yesterday and he became agitated and confused.  I won't do that again.

I finally emptied the dryer and folded the clothes.  Put them away.  Looking forward to Summer Laundry. Linen shirts and lightweight pants.  No socks.

The Octagon trucks are back.  Going on the second week of doing whatever in the house next door. Now I am thinking rewiring the entire house?  They would be doing it in the crawlspace (36 to 48 inches deep)  under the house and it would be quite the JOB.  But if you wanted top internet speed- the house would need rewiring.  I don't think we will EVER know what is happening over there.

Daily Notes- April 18th- the Sun is Shining. Patriot's Day here in New England.

 This Art Piece Frame is extra-ordinary.  The workmanship.  

Today is another day when nothing is open.  Library closed. Post office closed etc....Not sure about the grocery store but we have enough of everything.....I planned ahead-which is so Un-Typical of me these days.

I finished reading the December book (yesterday I said I wouldn't).  And each time I recall some aspect of the story- my eyes flood. Like right now and it's just that sentence and nothing about plot or characters.

There is something there- something I have shoved back and forgotten that this story is bringing back.

I have Agnes and the Hitman right next to me.........I also have a few others on the pile- a much much smaller pile than I started with.  Four or five books.  Sigh.  I also went cloth ferreting up in the Magic Attic.  Haven't mentioned that particular area in quite some Time have I.  The Magic Attic..  

I skipped the closet and went for the storage tubs.  They got inspected and moved closer to the Closet.  A few-- previously selected but left behind items-- are now down here with me.  Tiny folded cloth petals to make a flower.  I would have to really dig to come up with a year when that was something I did.  Cut and fold tiny flower petals. Fifteen or more years in the Past. Out, on top of something.  

I figured if the cloth in that sandwich bag was that insistent...I should pay attention.  Complete the tiny flower.  Perhaps sew it to my sweater.  Where it would look perfectly at home. 

I don't know what I might be making or finishing.  But there is something in the sub conscious mind....ticking away.  Something I have seen, or remembered or just created in my head......something.  It's interesting when this happens.  Not always becoming anything but it's like seeds on fertile soil.  Something grows- and it can be anything at this point.  But there is a seed.  And it's been a long long time since that happened.  I am a different person.  so...I might surprise myself with what comes of this feeling.

Daily Notes and a Very very Happy Easter to all of you!!! Sun is shining here in Maine.

 The art is sitting up on bricks.   I wanted something Bright for the Holiday photo.  This is BRIGHT.

I picked a very very sad book for this week.  Always, In December.  Just typing this has the tears running. I'm going to set it aside.  Unfinished.  Emily Stone is the author.  I am stopping because I can barely start thinking of the characters and plot and tears are running down my face and eyes are swamped. I had to just stop to wipe the snot off my face.  So...reading is impossible.  And it's well written. so.. British.

I might cleanse myself with another reading of Agnes and the Hitman.

Easter.  The Sun is Shining.  There are no wax designed Ukrainian Easter Eggs.  I grew up with them on the Easter Table-we made them the night before and continued making them in our new house far from my grandparents.  With the golden braided egg bread, the sliced ham, the beet horseradish. And the Easter Baskets hidden in the Attic.  My Grandmother's doing.  Once we moved to our own home (far away)- we never had Easter like that again. But we decorated the eggs. Adding wax with each new color.

We also had Potato Pancakes.  I was in charge of frying them.  That must have been something my Mother's family did.  We didn't take the basket of bread, ham and eggs to church to be blessed. Most of the new neighborhood did. 

One April, in Germany, I made little baskets with wood shavings as the nesting stuff.  I blew out the egg from brown German eggs and then drew designs on the clean , washed shell with a black pen and filled in the design with white ink and lots of black ink and left brown spaces.  I put the baskets- three I think- each with three eggs- on the Raffle Table.  We had a Raffle each Women's Club of the Taunus luncheon.  Those simple little baskets were the first items taken.  I have a few eggs left.  

It's hard to remember the woman I was back then...The best edition of Me.....and also the most damaged. I had to dig myself out of depression and sleeping 20 of the 24 hours in each day. No meds.  Just GRIT.

Daily Notes- Saturday, April 16th. Overcast Sky and Rain in the Forecast.

 Another painted, peeled, pasted, painted, peeled etc etc canvas.  In my remembrance of canvas and paste- it (canvas) rips when peeled (dry) and brings up anything under it..  And, as I mentioned yesterday, these canvases are like 3 by 5 feet.  So.. large but here on the screen look like that could be notebook paper sized.

I have never worked on anything other than quilts that large.  I went right to large with cloth. 

I was remembering something, someone and someplace from College in the early moments of morning.  Pretty much felt like I was there......It was pretty real. There was conversation. Something that never happened in real life. It felt good to say things. Like the sentences had been waiting.....I am left wondering if the other person woke up this morning with those words in their head?  If that person is still alive.

Then I got out of bed and folded laundry.  Then brushed my teeth and my hair. In that order.  I made a good bowl of oatmeal this morning.  Got it just right.  And my coffee is pretty much good, also.  And it's been awhile since I could say that.  Coffee has been bitter lately.  I have been sort of bitter lately.

The Surveillance Installers were back next door.  Like a whole week of them parked in the driveway..  Yesterday three company vehicles and a private all black, tinted window sedan.  Nothing today...but it's early.  You know...this is getting to be worrisome. Who, exactly, bought this house?  Who is going to be next door?  Who are the cameras going to be recording?  The Twins skateboarding down the street? Rollerblading in the pouring rain?  Me walking to the end of the driveway to get the morning paper?

I don't like it.

In better news- the pink bulbs are flowering so now I have white, two shades of yellow, pink and two shades of blue in the back garden up against the kitchen dining room wall.  The entire bed is flowering bulbs I scooped out of the dumpster at work (it involved climbing in and out).  And planted. Rescued Bulbs. Best kind.

Daily Notes- Friday, April 15th. sunshine, a bit chilly but NOT Raining!!!!

 These canvases are very large.   And the artist pastes on canvas, paints it and then rips part of it off etc etc.  I sort of enjoyed reading the ripping things off part of the process.  I, at most, peel things off but I like the more active verb- ripping-- so I think I might just do that next time.  And then she pastes a new section of canvas over the ripped or destroyed spaces.  I have yards of canvas in the Guest Room Closet.  Serious Art Supplies live in the Guest Room Closet.  The French Folding Painting Stand.  The Wooden Painting Box with Brushes and tubes of good paint.  The Ordinary Art Supplies are in the Hall Closet by the Front Door.  With my Winter Coat.  With my Rain Coat.

It's Mending (the ripping and painting).  The basic thing about Life and Art. Mending.

I like the idea of the substrate not being solid.  Ripped and pasted.  Those are words I enjoy when making Art. Nothing about my artistic process is gentle or soothing.  It's a fight to the death.

I erase until the paper is gone.  Just a hole where the mistake was. (Deb will ask me to write a short story with those two sentences as the first line).  It would be a dark story.

My breakfast is almost finished.  I still have coffee in my cup and one quarter of my Bosc Pear to eat. I spooned less instant coffee into my mug and it's better (not bitter--ha!!).  I had been adding too much and the bitterness was getting to me.  And with the sweetness of the Pear- a fine combination.

There is a recipe for Bran Bud Brownies on the Bran Bud Box.  I am tempted.  But not sure the bowels can take that sort of punishment.  (another great first line)

I am reading (finished) Summer Heacock's book  "The Awkward Patch to Getting Lucky" which arrived from  Ocean City, New Jersey for my reading enjoyment.  I had no idea we could do that.  Get books from other States.  But...it happened and it wasn't by my request.  Spooky.  There are very funny parts of this book- mostly the "meet cute" in the bakery.  But....the relationship is tedious.  So tedious.  Why the guy keeps showing up is beyond me.  I stopped showing up.

Daily Notes- Thursday April 14th. Rain Again- All the Spring Bulbs are up and flowering.

 Just finished reading Agnes and the Hitman and intend to read it AGAIN today.   I always forget how Hot and Hilarious this book is.  The Guy parts are written by a Guy- a military guy- Bob Mayer..  So...that adds something to the.......good parts.  Agnes cooks breakfast.  And Agnes's house fills with men all of them wanting breakfast.   Notice the red eyeglasses? House also fills with dead bodies.  Agnes has anger management issues..... and you thought you had to worry about the Hitman, didn't you???

So, I got my haircut and the bad, sad news that I have to find a new person to cut my hair.  Nancy has been cutting my hair for so so many years (15?).  This is hard news to deal with.  She is retiring and going to be caring for her 96 year old mother.  Her brother was doing the care--- but he is tired of it.

I bought When Pigs Fly seeded New York Rye Bread after the haircut ( I needed milk).  Pretty damn good.  Last week I had English Toasting Bread.  I had wanted the Cinnamon Raisin but there wasn't any.  I got Bran Buds.  New larger box- more Buds. I got oatmeal.  The Ice cream section has French Ice Cream.  Sicilian Pistashio.  Next time.  I am now wondering what French Ice Cream is like.   I looked but No DOVE bars.  Welcome to Temptation had everyone eating Dove Bars.  I think Bet Me- also had Dove Bars.  Not Maine.   I have eaten French yogurt- high fat content so I imagine same goes for the Ice Cream.

I have procrastinated on some things.  Today might be the day I get that out of the way. Or not.

Daily Notes- Wednesday, April 13th. Overcast with a chance of Rain.

 A self portrait of sorts.   It was fun to do- get out the Neocolor I wax pastels.  I get my wild and out of control hair cut tomorrow.  Big ears and big glasses.

It was interesting how easy this was to do- and no I wasn't looking at a photo or into a mirror.  I guess I did pay attention in college art classes.  Who would have guessed, huh????

Yesterday was a "day off" as Monday we had husband's doctor's appointment and then eye exam.  Back to back.  Then the rest of the day to get over all that "excitement".  I also "cooked" which just means I made a box of Kraft Mac and Cheese.  It was good.  I added green peas to it.

Read an older Jennifer Crusie paperback- "What the Lady Wants" sort of a play on the old Perry Mason series.  Dead body. Private Detective. Who killed him with tons of suspects.   1995.   I sort of went hunting for older Crusie books the last time I was making book requests.  It took awhile for all of them to arrive.  Getting Rid of Bradley was the best one.  So far.  I am still hunting for Strange Bedfellows and Manhunting.  Anyone But You was fun to read.

1995.  It's like the Way Back Machine. Time travel via books.  We moved to Maine at the end of 1991.

Old books.  Old art classes.  Old woman.  I've got clean socks on today.  Coffee is a bit strong.  Oatmeal was good.  I think I slept okay.  I feel rested.  Nothing on the agenda until tomorrow and the haircut. Feels weird to be this ......unattached to calendar items...........I have a book.  I will read.......

Daily Notes- April 12th- It's raining. Wetting down the seeds in the garden.

 A Black and White Day.  Raining.  Chill in the air.  House lights on already.  I'm okay with it as yesterday I was wondering where the watering cans were located as the vegetable seeds George had planted needed water.  Mother Nature arrived to take care of that.  Thank You!!!!

There will be self produced images up top in the next few days- possibly even tomorrow.  I have a few ideas.  I should have grabbed an image of the mending on daughter's gardening work pants.  The knees  of the painted Carharts need work each year.  This year I added cut off rear pockets from a pair of worn out Levi's. Three layers. That should make it thru the Season. 

It was ORIGINAl.  So she liked it.  But I wondered why I have so many chopped up pieces of old Levi's?

I hesitated to write an email to the Gardening Friend who grows tomato seedlings and has shared with me for several years. With COVID and all else...after a significant period of no contact (2 years?)....well, I was worried.  But Allie emailed right back that my timing was excellent and the tomato seedlings were 4 inches tall.  9 or 10 varieties to choose from.  I am okay with whatever she doesn't need for her own tomato boxes. All of them were outstanding choices.  In the Summer when this friend would go away for a few weeks- I would drive over and water and take care of her tomatoes and her herb garden and flowers.  A Fair Change of Services.

And today's overcast and dark skies are so fine....the seeds my gardener/pruner planted needed a drink.  And a soft all day rain is the perfect solution.  It's chilly here in the house.  I tried to finish the book I was reading yesterday but....I gave up and went to bed.  Late but not as late as if I finished it.

I am thinking about rumbling in the sewing room.  Sorting.  Putting a few cloths together.  Cutting some shapes.  Perhaps a House.  Perhaps a Map.   Perhaps a Garden. We'll see.  Perhaps an abstract of just so many bits from the wastebasket?  A puzzle of sorts.

A friend has suggested I take a sentence from a recent post and write a short story with the sentence as the first line.  I am tempted.  Which surprises me.  Yesterday's comment has me making Stanley Tucci's pasta sauce  for lunch today.  The one he cooked with his mother in episode one. CNN.  Find it. Love it. 

Daily Notes- April 11th....A Day Of Doctors.... not me- him.

 Button Earrings.  I'd like to get a bunch of women together to make self portraits.  With their non dominant hand.  Love the button earrings.  I'm thinking of making one later today. Me.

We did do self portraits one day during the Monthly Quilt Meeting.  Glue not thread. Covering it all with colored netting.  I bought all the loud colors.  Some had sparkle.  They were so great- the finished product- especially after they machine quilted them-that I made a special event thing at the next All State quilt show with the portraits.  Was asked to do a class for other groups.  What a thrill........to see those quilters cut loose.

So...big day.  General Annual visit with husband's doctor.  Then the Eye Doctor. I changed my husband over to my Eye Doctor.  So it was a better outcome- other guy likes to do surgery.  Fate...I believe in it- just before we rolled over to the eye doctor  I had a visit with my walking buddy who had the previous eye doctor and is still having vision and eye problems.  Made me feel good about switching husband to new doctor.

I am seeing that I have many days on the desk calendar blank.  I need to do some cut and paste.  Scissors and Glue Stick.  I got a little perennial  for my back garden bed.  I've gotten it before and the deer ate it. Blue flowers.  Zone 3 to 6.  So, should live.  Deer might eat it.

I have lost my tweezers.  They are just gone.  And today at the grocery I didn't buy any.  I forgot.  But the grocery might not have tweezers.  All these years.  First time tossing tweezers......first.

I bought some stuff to make vegetable lo mein.  I had the noodles.  I will be using very large Brussels Sprouts for my "sturdy green vegetable", plus a carrot and some spring onions.  I got new ginger. I don't have mushroom powder.  I don't think this is a thing one buys. Makes with dry mushrooms?  I don't know.