Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Wednesday, March 11th. Warmer than usual. 44 degrees- no sunshine.


 New York Times Orange Cake.

I have everything in the HOUSE to make this cake....even a food processor.  Where it is..I haven't a clue... Still haven't found the Swedish crystal champagne flutes.  Or the wooden box of silverware.  I did find extra pairs of brown slippers from LLBean...defective and very inexpensive (to employees only).

But none of the "good stuff" is being found.

The frozen stiff paints etc have thawed out...we will find out if they still "'work" when I find my brushes. I have my watercolor brushes but the ones for acrylic paint- a mystery to be solved.

I cleared out a shelf in the hall closet--where we keep coats etc.... Art Supplies...lots of really nice things. so I took some of them out...now to find a new closet to use as a storage area.   So I can USE them. SEE them. REMEMBER I own them.   The order should be Remember, Find, See.. Use...... Really nice stuff.

Listened to PBS- Opera..very dramatic and open air and raining. Pavarotti......various important singers sang... ...I recorded it so I could fast forward thru the talking parts where they ask for money.  I have at least one of his CD's with Rigoletto, La Traviata, and La Boheme.....to listen to.   I might have a second CD.  It was very very nice to just sit and listen and watch it rain.  As I said- I recorded it...so will watch and listen again as soon as I finish my book.... Katherine Center's How to Walk Away.  I've read it several times already in the past few years.

Perhaps daughter can find the Trade Paper copy for me.  Well, I have things to do...sort, wash, dry, put away.  And my coffee to reheat.....drink......finish the book. Sun is NOT shining here in Maine.  

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Daily Notes- Yesterday daughter took me to the Library and I walked around in the stacks...

Charlie Moon again.

Walking in the stacks these days...at the Library.... isn't much fun.  And the new book section is VERY thin on books.  I took home a few oldies.  Books I have read before.  I am not feeling enthusiastic about the books I checked out.  I might just read an old cowboy romance by Johanna Lindsey.  From my bookcase.  Or A Knight In Shining Armor...time travel.

The books I refer to were on the Library Discard Trolley years ago.... outside in front of the Library entrance- free books the library no longer wanted....most of my home bookcase of hard covers are from the Library Discard Trolley.  Later they just lined them up on the window sill in the entrance foyer. And then on the lowest, closest to the floor shelf also in the entrance foyer.  Leaning over at 80-- one could tip over and smash one's head in. 

 Reading has become less of a pleasure as my eyes get old, dry and tired. But I keep trying...I keep reading until I have to stop and rest my eyes. Add drops. And watch British Soccer or Law and Order.  Or just sit on the couch with my eyes closed doing absolutely nothing.  Not even sleeping.

Well, today is just getting started and I am already losing interest. I did have a shower and washed my hair...letting it dry itself into whatever waves and curls it wants.  There is an interesting wave dipping past my eyebrow on the right side.  Eventually I will gather it up on top of my head.

I sorted "same family" colored scrap cloth here to my left into sandwich bags.....in case I decide to make something- A SQUARE is what I usually make....Sort of potholder sized....I always hope that I will persevere and make nine.  A larger square.......I don't.  

I ran out of the fabric scraps in  color families here on the ottoman.....I do have quite a bit of  black and white prints......way more than a sandwich bag's worth....that could entertain me today.  Notice I am saying scraps....I have LOADS of folded yardage in EVERY Color and Print....no shortage of fabric....just that right now I am more comfortable with scraps.  And no need for the rotary cutter and the ruler.  Dangerous. I try and stay away from the cutting table....though I do enjoy cutting strips.  I'm 80. Need finger tips.

One of the Amaryllis Bulbs my neighbor Peggy gave Son and I two or three years ago has two flower buds just emerging from the covering leaves.... looks like a very dark red.  Or dark pink.....the other is still stalled out with a small fresh tip of something emerging.  I didn't see anything I liked in the floral department of the grocery...mostly bouquets.  Husband would buy those for me...I have never bought  one for myself.  I tend to like things that I can "keep"....not watch fade and dry up.

 

Monday, March 09, 2026

Daily Notes for Monday, March 9th. Sunshine and 61 but everything covered in 3 feet of snow.


 This is titled the Orange Vase.  Weird.

I have this urge to paint or color or draw....ART....and no idea of what... the library visit was too early.. They are NOT ready to add the 4 digit code to my Library Card. (yet).....the program that it needs hasn't arrived or been installed or tested as yet.  Wow.  The target start up date was ...as the librarian put it- "just a suggestion".   I used the steps up and the elevator down.

Public TV had Sense and Sensibility on last night....also on another date- (which I set the TiVo to record). I like S&S much better than Pride Etc.   The camera work is very old style......close ups of faces expressing emotions etc.   There was the usual "begging" for cash that Public TV does.  It's pretty much all the time now.

So...60 degrees....NICE...very very nice.  It will take the 2 to 3 feet deep piles of snow (turning to ice) some time to melt.  Overnight..the melt will freeze if temps get low...it is Maine.

I have books to order....hopefully something interest will happen by tomorrow- or not.




Sunday, March 08, 2026

Daily Notes for a Sunday in March...not snowing... no sun and 49 degrees.


 Titled "wonderful ladybug" by. Charlie-Moon-Little.  He has a Facebook page....I don't do Facebook so no help here on how to find him.  I actually only "do this post" and nothing else........ I found him over at Little Somethings.  Where you can find more bettle images.

I have on a different colored acrylic fabric top...The other lime green one is in the wash basket.  Waiting for me to do the laundry- just isn't enough in the basket as yet.  With just me filling the basket. I am seriously considering changing the sheets on the bed which will fill the basket.  Then I might need to sort the colors from the whites.  And not have enough of either,

Today is Sunday Pizza....Son is also questioning the viability of the potato I baked last Sunday and wrapped in foil and put in the fridge.....I find no fault with him questioning the viability of that potato. I did not have interest in the potato after baking it........I lose interest pretty quickly these days unless I move on the topic FAST.  Also there has been quite a bit of Attic Box Sorting which uses up my normal band-with of attention.  Deciding what to keep and what to let go of.... it's like looking in to the Future... will I need it in two years...five years.......next week????????  I don't know.

The Living Room thermostat battery died.....which might be why it was cold in here yesterday... I left batteries for Son to replace or whatever he does......  it works this morning.

I called in a refill on the wrong inhaler.....sigh...I don't seem to be able to do anything right and it really depresses me a great deal.....so in response I just stop doing things.... Stop sending comments....I get negative feedback on those as well.....I did contact an old internet friend. The Christmas card I sent her got returned...she has a new house....a new vegetable garden (I envy her the garden). and I re-mailed the card.

It was great getting an email from her and all her news....old friends are the best rewards for living I think. no need to explain yourself to them..... just be happy they are still around.