Field Notes- Wednesday, November 30th. Wet, Cold, Raining...Dark.

 I like the size of the handle most of all.  And I buy only King Arthur flour so I like that as well. Am I ordering one?  No.  I do not willingly give out my credit card number on the internet.

Grocery today.  Husband was down to ONE chicken dinner. Emergency Lights Are Flashing.  We only had the opportunity to buy two more. So I got some prepared (fried) chicken tenders from the "hot bar" and we will try a "homemade" dinner. Chicken tenders the pasta he already cooks to add to the meals because you have to have lots of pasta, the shredded Parm we also buy separately and a jar of red sauce.  We will see how it goes. I truly hope it "goes". Would simplify my shopping.

I hold the line at actually cooking raw chicken etc.  I do not like raw chicken. No. I do not.

It was raining.   No one was bringing carts into the store.  Only three registers open and the parking lot full. Not a great day....  I wore shoes with tread.  My usual Summer Garden clogs (rubbery) no longer have tread on the soles.  I have slipped and fallen when it rains.  I don't want to do that in my raincoat.  The big black wool coat blunts the fall and saves my hip bones when I fall in winter weather.. but I now have restaurant shoes with non slip soles.  Today I had on Pink Rubber Shoes.  Orange Coat. White Hair.

Fashion Statement.  You can NEVER take the Cleveland, Ohio out of the Girl.

New puzzle on the table.  Big pieces.  This one belongs to us.  Remember I bought puzzles and coloring books at Sherman's Books?  Birthday Stuff.  He had a birthday.

Field Notes. I skipped a Day!!!! Tuesday, November 29th. 27 degrees outside. Sunshine.

 I didn't realize I had not posted yesterday- until five seconds ago!!!!  I shocked myself when I saw that. I must be losing brain cells faster than I assumed. Truly...I feel older and more frail by the day.

Well, yesterday.....the jigsaw puzzle got finished.  I did two loads of wash.  I ate the last remaining thanksgiving leftovers, and the porch wreaths- 48 inches wide and heavy- were carried from the Garage Attic by the Twin's Dad and hung on the hooks and plugged in.  We had them on last night.  Gorgeous.

Also, DebL will be happy to learn, I MET and CHATTED with my new next door neighbor.  My husband is going to feed and visit her two cats when she goes away for Christmas Eve/ Christmas Day.  She asked me but I was truthful.....I don't like cats.  She and husband are camping out in the room above the garage.  Her kitchen is no where near finished.  The ceiling had to be structurally "rebuilt" which means the second story of her house is...not what it should be????.   Classic Money Pit.

The house across the street #11 (identical to next door) had the dining room ceiling fall in recently.........so, the builder was "excellent". Yes, the ceiling just came down on her table and chairs........ fascinating. Same would have happened to the new neighbor.

I am having lunch with another owner of an identical house #1 and the Twins live in yet another one #5 of these houses (so I spoke to all four same house owners yesterday).  From the story I heard long ago (and far away).......four lots were left when all the custom homes (one of a kind) had been finished and a builder came in and threw up identical houses on the four vacant and not so great (swampy) lots.  

My house was the first built on this "formerly" swampy/ crap tree covered piece of Earth.  It was quite "something" as it was being built.  The "basement" filled with water as it was being dug.........which is why I have a crawl space and no basement.

The cement truck sunk into the muddy road when they dug the foundation.....the fire department came to haul the cement truck out and the BIG fire engine sunk into the mud...........yep......my house is well known in the community. My husband visited Town Meetings (and spoke) until the Town actually PAVED our street a few years ago. I had forgotten that.  Squeaky Wheel and all that. Forty years after construction.

I had to refill my 1970's pewter peppermill this morning.  It has lots of moveable parts.  Parts that are held down by a spring.   It was a SUBSTANTIAL JOB.  Finding stuff that had SPRUNG FREE when I loosen the nut on the screw.  It's all back together and grinding just fine.  

I learned my lesson last time.....I didn't open it in the sink..........and then have to reach into the disposal thingy looking for a small screw........

Field Notes- Dark and Cold outside when I went to get the paper. Dismal. That's a good word for today.

 I found this somewhere and thought it was quite lovely.  Shaped bread for the Holiday just past.  I thought I wanted glass front cabinets but.......I think I will stick with the stainless rolling shelving that I have right now. A Restaurant vibe. 

We went to the grocery store yesterday and the Library.  I returned books and got five more- two for husband.  Three for me.  Two are repeats.  Reading was fine yesterday.  No need for drops or resting periods. House Air wasn't as DRY.

I watched a Christmas Movie I had recorded off FX.  Sound was not good.  FX is either very loud or not audible.  It's the way it arrives.  Title was Last Christmas.  And they kept offering the Bad Language warning.    I never did hear any bad language.  It was British.  And I never can understand them.  The Brits & Christmas.  Almost to the end and I remembered what it's about.  And I knew I would cry.  The reality part goes by quickly and if you're not watching and paying attention you will never understand what it's about.  But......I cried.

I think that's why I recorded it.......for a good cry.  Eyes are a bit damp right now.

I used to have a few Rom-coms that provided a good cry.  Can't quite recall which ones they are.....but I know I don't have them recorded.  I do have Tom Hanks in an airport that he can't leave.  Recorded  many years ago......that's what I actually love about TiVo.  Forever Storage if you don't delete. And now I will also have the Last Christmas and Love Actually- forever.  Today I will watch the Bookstore Around the Corner.  I love that movie.

I just finished reading Meghan Quinn's Runaway Groomsman.  The Runaway is a script writer for a channel called Movieflix.  (netflix?)  He interprets what is happening as if it's a scripted movie. And if it was a movie- I would record it.  He arrives VERY drunk, in a baby blue tux with only one shoe. The two women in the book have to drag, carry him to his room. And he's "trending" on social media.  Not in a good way.  I went and ordered more by this author.  Can't wait till they arrive.  Now reading a small paperback- 2001-  Tempted Again by Cathie Linz.  Mad, Bad and Blonde was the other one I liked and this one has one of the characters from the first book in this one.

Field Notes- Sunshine- Warmer. Neighbors had trucks there- woke me up , yet again.

 Brussels Sprouts.  I captured this image the week before T'Day.  Then forgot about it.

I like black slate.  I wanted it for the kitchen counters.....when I still harbored thoughts of a new kitchen. I have it on the floors.  Black and White.  Makes everything look exciting.

Grocery today.  He wanted Chicken Parmesan Dinners. And his inhaler prescription.  I wanted Cinnamon Raisin Bread.  I also got honey lemon cough drops for when the "house air" gets dry and I cough.  The Cough and Cold Aisle was crowded.  Not a good sign.

The store was OUT (again) of my Noosa Vanilla Yogurt "Ice Cream".

I stopped to chat with a Greenhouse employee in the Wine and Potato Chip Aisle.  They miss me. Mostly because I answered questions.  I miss them, as well.  The store did not have the 60% less salt Potato Chips.  They had 40% less.... in abundance.  I was strong and didn't get the 40%.

Husband had leftovers and then he had pie yesterday.  I had leftovers but forgot to have pie.

We watched the Soccer.....well, the last 20 minutes.  The action is too fast and the figures too small- so husband was confused. Not worth it.

Dee- I was watching Lifetime Christmas also..  Same actors as Hallmark and I check and see if the movies I want are on Lifetime now...found a few and recorded them.  And they have Love Actually.  Which I am recording on TiVo.  Love the END of that movie.

Field Notes- A Cloudy, Dark, Sprinkled with Rain, Cold Day. There is a Morning Paper. To read.

 My list from yesterday.  To remind me of what I had to make and cook.  There was also gravy.

It all got done.  Not in any order.  And not with any "professional-ism".  I was watching movies on Hallmark and other places.  They had good ones yesterday.  So I was not being a "pot watcher".

Husband ate some of everything.  Had seconds.  Later we had pie.  We never have pie right after dinner. I had almost every pot and pan I owned in use.  And then I washed them all and put them away.  We have leftovers for today and a few more days...I think.  Certainly the vegetable dishes. (I always make plenty as I love the leftover side dishes best).

Hallmark had a lovely Louisiana based Christmas Movie last night.  I know I didn't record it so will have to find it again in the weeks ahead.  I also watched parts of  two "teen" movies.  Save the Last Dance and another one.  I was cooking, watching a movie, cooking, watching a movie etc.  We (me) didn't realize the Patriots were playing so missed the game.  

Today....I think, will be a resting day.  No shopping.  Though I think I want a Ninja Creamy (or Speedy)  to make ice cream and frozen yogurt.  I saw a commercial.  It would be nice to make my own frozen yogurt ice cream. I do have the Vitamix.  And I do know it makes ice cream. I even made hot cream of carrot soup in it. Once a long time ago.  Does lots of nice things.  I should try that first.

Field Notes- Thursday November 24th- Birdbath's Frozen. Power Outage Overnight. The Usual.

 I use Systane drops in my eyes.   And I have dedicated Reading Glasses.  And I had a recent eye exam with no change in my eyes.   I think it's just the dryness AND the TINY print of an old school paperback. The small pocket sized ones.  Print is not only tiny it's not real dark.  Double Trouble. But the story was good and I wanted to see how it ended.  My fault, I should have rested my eyes.

I got the fridge working all by myself a few minutes ago.  The on/off button did the job.  Welcome to Maine in the Winter. Power Failure Capital of the USA. Usually, it's a squirrel and we know this because we have seen it's still smoking dead body up in the circuits at the end of the road.  Same Place.  Every time.

I figured I should learn how.......as I might be in charge of Power Failures from now on.......I might be in charge of quite a bit from now on... and should figure out how things work.  The Furnace is running.  I turn it down into the 50's at night and then up to 65 during the day.  Down Comforters.  Who needs the furnace.

I have to get going.  Peel potatoes, make the Pumpkin Pie etc.  After that it's just add water and butter to things and get them HOT.  I don't expect husband to eat any of the dinner......he didn't last year.  He doesn't like vegetables.  But I did buy a precooked turkey breast so perhaps he'll eat that and choke on a piece of turkey he failed to chew......like he always does.  I'll update you as it goes.

Nothing like a choking emergency to make the day a Holiday.

Field Notes- Hello--Thank You For Reading!!!! Chilly, cloudy with a chance of..a Nap

 From Something in the sidebar.  Deluxe Images Delivered with Each Post.  "How do I love thee, let me count the ways"

My eyes are DRY!!!!  Nothing is helping.  I am considering just bundling up on the couch and taking a NAP.  I know!!!!! Me! A NAP??????  Who are we kidding?  Now my nose is running.............

I had the devil of a time- with drops and rest periods and NOT rubbing my EYES yesterday trying to finish a book with small print.  FINALLY ACTING MY AGE.

Daughter brought me a Pecan Pie.  I ate a piece.  Sweeter than I am used to.  So, I am thinking today- I will cut a wedge and then crumble it and eat it mixed with a Vanilla Noosa Yogurt.  The little 4 ounce serving.  Perhaps the filling.  Eat the crust with TEA.  The Pie is a gift from the Candy Factory.  She has made the switch from Outdoor Landscaping to Indoor Candy Pack and Ship. She was dressed like the ToothFairy.  Not really- just a BIG change from Garden Wear.

A BOOK is coming from Kentucky via Amazon.  First week of December.  I am thrilled. Gobsmacked Thrilled. All is Right With MY World.  How do I love THEE?  Let me count the ways!!!!!

So Many of You Out There........you make me so very happy.  Reading this stuff I type.  Being Friends with me..........so Great.  So Wonderful........So Thankful........... So so Thankful.... Happy Holiday.

Field Notes- Tuesday, November 22nd. COLD. COLD. COLD. Eyes getting dry. Making it difficult to read books.

 I may have used this already....I have lots of Christmas images but not much else.  I need to start taking pictures of my own again.........Of my daily pair of socks?  Well...if they were anything but shades of black etc.  I don't have cool socks. Some do have multi colored stripes. This bird is sitting on ice.  No drinking water.  

My birdbaths are ice right to the top edge of the birdbath.  So nowhere for me to pour building water. Which I do in the Winter.  It freezes pretty quick but...what else can I do???

I loved the images from the Lunar spaceship.  The Big Moon and the tiny blue planet. Us.

My across the street neighbor has left for the airport and New York City with Two Tofurkies. I know that isn't spelled correctly but it's Tofu Turkey.  

Did I mention here...that I found a turkey breast in with all the rotisserie chickens?  Monday at the grocery.  I think I did.  Anyway.  I was going to get started with cooking- bake a pie......but I will wait for Tomorrow.

I haven't started in on the Pomegranate Drawing.  I have the paper and the art supplies ready to go...I just am not ready to go.  The air in the house is very, very dry and my eye balls are dry- even with many applications of drops......so reading, drawing and anything else.....difficult.

I mysteriously recorded the movie with the cute guy in the house full of Christmas.  He took off his shirt. It was worth all the digging to find this movie--but it wasn't all that interesting AFTER he took off the shirt.  In fact, the movie was dull.  It's an old one and I think I've seen him in other movies on Hallmark with a different name.  Anyway.........I have, I think, a new favorite for 2022.  Santa Boot Camp.  The chef guy is mighty cute. Of course I have watched the movie about making a Christmas Santa Movie three times now and I really love it.  THAT guy shows up at my door- he gets pulled in the house and G gets shoved out.

Field Notes- 24 degrees. Very Cold. No Sun. No Wind. Monday.

 Already thinking about the Milk Jug seed starting project.  Out on the back deck.  I can get the containers filled with soil now (before it freezes) and then be ready to add grit to the tops with the seeds in January. Let the weather water the seeds- snow mostly.

It snowed yesterday during the Football Games as we ate our Pizza.  Sideways. With the wind blowing. Wind Chill at the stadium where the Patriots were playing (Boston) was very cold. I forget the number.  Our team won.  I watched a few other games.  The Pizza was very good.  I had a glass of wine.

I will be wearing my big black long and heavy coat to the grocery today.  Winter has Arrived.

In Germany, this Time in the Season, was called the Dark Times. Dark by 3 or 4 pm in the afternoon. Dark when we woke up.  Immer dunkle.

So.  I haven't turned the lights on yet.  The Furnace is running.  No newspaper as it's Monday and our paper doesn't print on Monday.  I have books to return to the Library and a list to take to the grocery.

I don't have much more to write.

Tell me what you are going to do today?

Field Notes- Sunday November 20th Sunshine. 36 degrees. Football. Pizza.

 Rose Hips.  I used to have roses.  Here in the garden beds.  They didn't like the climate of my yard. Too cold.  So I have three straggling, struggling roses left......one has produced a small pink blossom in November.  

I feel like I am a rosebud in November as well.

News from Number One on my street.  Our neighbor "Star" with dementia is dead.  No details from her drug dealer/lying son......just that he is "enjoying a very large inheritance and Coca Cola stock shares" and her house and her car etc..  My daughter wondered if they forgot to feed her.

I was going to put forgot in quote marks "forgot".  Because, here on my street, we can guess how it went. And Social Services did not get involved. They were also "Conned". You see...my brother did the same to our mother. And when the money was gone- so was he.

At some point, in the next hour or so, I will cry.  Ugly crying.  For that poor woman.  Not right now.

Before I knew....... I had taken the sheets off my bed and turned the mattress and now I have sheets to wash and new, fresh ones to put on the bed.......so...I will cry while making the bed and doing a load of wash.   We were never close.  I would find and return her dog when she lost him (Riley found the dog mostly) so that was years ago....  I walked her home that summer she came here everyday.  I charged her iPhone.  I offered her sparkling orange flavored Italian Water.  Her favorite.

I didn't do enough. But....I had my own problems to deal with here....and knowing what my Future would be like (with her in front of me)....made my own situation even more terrifying.  And sociopaths can run a very believable Con.  I know that from experience.

Field Notes- Sunny, Chilly Saturday in Maine. Actually ...blinding Sunshine.

 Green Bean Casserole.  Seeing this image a lot on the Hallmark Channel Movies- Campbell Soup must be a Big Sponsor.  It's not an attractive dish of food......but I do love it.  Made it the first time as a married woman.  We never had this when I was growing up.  Love at first bite for me.  Not so much for my family but I make it every year anyway.   Especially now- when I ONLY make the Side Dishes.  For myself.

Husband was hysterically funny when he said he loved Thanksgiving Dinner at his recent doctor's visit....so not the truth as for the past few years he eats NONE of it.

My eyes are dry and blurry.   I paid bills.  Meaning I wrote checks and licked envelopes and stuck on stamps.  It was Good.  

I had fun with the stock market page in the newspaper.  Looking for the stocks that tanked the most and then the ones that did very very well.  Most Tech stocks lost money in the double digits. Musky. Crypto. The Alphabets. Amazon. Netflix which was a surprise.  Prime is beating them down pretty good. LockheedMarietta is BOOMING.  I asked my dad to buy me that one in high school for a class--he got me ATT instead. Or Lockheed was the one I wanted in the 60's (when they flew those GIGANTIC THINGS over our Marietta apartment.  And I could see the tire tread.....)  I might have chosen US Steel in high school.  Anyway.............ATT was and is a loser stock. It never moves. Lockheed for the win.

I would sell ATT but it isn't enough to buy anything fantastic.........

I watched two movies with Steve Lund in them (Hallmark).  In the new one his hair was parted on the left and he looked like a DORK (computer guy) but was brilliant on roller skates- in the older one- where I developed a "crush" his hair is parted on the right and he was EXTRA brilliant on ice skates (the Canadian Actors on Hallmark all played Hockey).  And he rides a motorcycle and wears leather..  Theres' one more...not a favorite but I might just have to record all three.  In the last one- he wears leather......I think. Watch him age. Older is not better with him.

I wasn't as thrilled with the leather/ motorcycle/Toy factory one as I used to be.  I must have outgrown him.  I think with all the very sexy Romances I am reading- Hallmark is way too DULL these days. Mostly I am watching Lifetime Christmas Movies. I wish Never Been Kissed was on again.  But the channels that might have shown it are showing Elf etc.  I don't like Elf- type movies.

That's it for today.  I might take a nap.  Husband is asleep on the Sunporch where it's toasty warm.

Field Notes on a very chilly Friday, November 18th. Riley passed on another November 18th.

 Hey, why not start the day with a big cry and all that?

I am reading  another good book.  One to Watch by Stayman-London was first- then  Marlowe Banks, Revisited by Firkins  and today (and yesterday) Dating Dr Dill by Sharma.  They have all been very good. I have a few more on the Library Book pile.  Two are waiting for pickup at the Library on Monday.

I'll just wait for my eyes to dry up.

We didn't get to see the Thursday Football game as it's on Prime and I had intended to make Pizza..  We don't have Prime.  I know we should (because of the wealth of PBS stuff on Prime) but...let's be clear....I no longer have active enough brain function  and I just find it all way too ANXIETY producing to get involved in.  As a beginner.  I never had much experience even before getting old.  We did have Netflix but I wasn't the one who activated it......and that "person" isn't helpful these days.

When I mentioned finding husband's wallet in the bathtub a reader said she found the TV remote in her freezer. Her husband is also fun to have around.  It made me laugh- still does.

So......anything happens with cable, computer or internet ......we're Out of Luck here. Totally.  They will die a quiet lonely death as did the printer.  Which no longer works.  In any language.  I will need a new one before Tax Time??? Unless I just send along originals to our Banker........Not having is the best way to deal with the IRS anyway.  Sorry...don't have that......piece of paper. Shrug........

I don't actually need a printer. I was only making copies of the covers of books I wanted to buy.......a list on paper, written in pen is good enough.

My Panera  $10.99 container of  Broccoli Cheddar "SOUP" was a yellowy "cheese" water  DISAPOINTMENT with one piece of broccoli no cheese flavor.  I was reminded that there used to be carrots also.  Long Ago.  Far Away.  So I added Carrots and Broccoli and Cheese and ate watery "soup"???  I still have some. Left.  It didn't even taste the way I remembered- you know- thick and creamy. Cheesy. Well. I never will buy it again.  That was Wednesday.

I discovered a few slices of English Toasting Bread in the way back of the fridge shelf.  So I had a Toasted Cheese with Pickles. That was Thursday.

 I sort of wished I had caved and bought 60% salt free potato chips. And the four pack of very moist thick dark Brownies.  Stuff I should NOT eat. Or Buy. I have two more slices of Bread so today I'll have another sandwich and pour the remaining "soup" into the sink. That will be Friday.

If I sound DOWN and UNHAPPY...I am.  The only thing I have that might need doing...is another load of wash.  I really wish I was a napper.  I would be happy to sleep all day and just not have to do any thing at all.  Not even eat. I am not suicidal.  Give that up.  I would NEVER!!!! I've put 76 years into staying alive.

Field Notes- Thursday, November 17th. Sunshine. 37 degrees@ 10:16 am.

 Our birdbaths are still frozen solid.  Turkeys- the wild ones- have been seen nearby.  They usually come to our back yard.  I'll let you know if they do.

I haven't had breakfast yet.  Husband was positive he had a dentist appointment this morning.  He got up early, called the office....he did not.  I think he forgets to delete things from his iPhone calendar and then they repeat the next year......endlessly.  He depends on the iPhone to remember things.....but garbage in and then garbage out...... I find that people do not grasp that part of the internet.

The "new" neighbors have finally parked a car on their new driveway.  I am guessing they wanted it good and set?  It was summer weather when it was installed.  Now it freezes at night.  

They arrived with only one POD.  I am wondering if that was all they owned?  But it hardly matters- I can't imagine ever being friends with them.  It was easy to "know" people when I worked.  Now......it's nearly impossible except for talking to strangers in the grocery check out line....and then I will never see those people again.

Something huge has arrived next door- sounds massive. Propane.  Well, if I was a real ASS- I would now be putting on my coat and getting a chair and settling down to watch.  That truck, with the tight turn into that driveway and the drop off into the woods on the other side of the street....is going to have quite a problem delivering the propane.  

pause.

Got the truck backed in. Lots of running around by the workers still on site and their vehicles.  The owner said 400K.  For all the new stuff. I think that might have doubled- just estimating the amount of stuff added to the house. And the daily wages of the multitude of work people coming here each day from Portland- a 30 to 40 minute drive each way..  March to November.  Seven or Eight Months.  

Because they liked all the trees.  Old sick Pines.  That move when the wind blows. Side to side.

Field Notes- November 16th. We needed rain all Summer. So now it rains- in November.

 I think this image is of a scoop able Corn Pudding.  I am thinking I want to bake Cornbread.  Or Brownies. I need something "snacky" to eat while I watch the news.  ICK NEWS. Stress Eating. The Rye Bread has all been eaten.  Was best with butter and strawberry rhubarb jam. Okay with cheese and pickles. but not great.

I am wearing the last pair (why do we refer to one item as a pair?) of undies.  So I needed to pull them up and go do a load of laundry.  I just finished pushing everything into the dryer.  I also wrote in the Washing Machine Pages notebook.  It's nearly full.  The last of the college rule fat  "premium"notebooks from Staples.  If I want more I have to order on line.  Same with my favorite pens. No longer in Stores.

Instead I switched to a different- not as wonderful college rule notebook.  Smaller. And infrequently available at the grocery store. And I switched to a new pen that I can get at the grocery store.  Been awhile.  I am now over my "hissy fit" and liking both.  Well...I have only  successfully gotten the smaller college rule notebook twice.  And haven't actually used them yet.  But soon.

I think husband is preparing the couch for a NAP.  Nope..... he's walked over to the new puzzle.

It's already dark here in Maine- clouds.  Rain.  Not as cold as yesterday.  Everything is very wet and birdbaths are still frozen.  Not even one o'clock.

Yesterday's book.  Will be today's book as well. Marlow Banks, Redesigned (author Firkins).  Marlow has to step into a scene in a coffee shop for a popular show on tv- think Friends or Dawson's Creek.  (might be wrong about the Creek one as I never saw it-) I saw the other one, unfortunately.  Anyway- she was the only person the waitress dress fit so she had to do the bit.  The camera never lies.  

And the camera saw "something happen" between the bad boy guy and the "waitress".  Something the director liked.  Something the bad boy (28 years old) hoped the girl would never see.  As readers we know the "waitress" was tempted to pour the coffee in his lap..she is not a fan..  I'm reading it again.  He makes her an omelet just like the guy in the Hating Game...but near the end of the book.  Very much like the Hating Game.  And you all know I love that book.  I'm buying Marlow Banks, Redesigned.

Field Notes- Waking up to frozen water in the birdbaths. Sunshine.

 Coffee Cups.  Tea Cups.  I like the brownish one with the large green handle.  Fat bottom. 

I am reading a paperback- the small kind with tiny print.  Mad. Bad and Blonde.  Cathie Linz. 2010. Old school romance.  Sort of like the high school ridiculous movies.  A retired Military guy and a newly blonde, former Librarian turned Investigating Agent.  She got dumped at her wedding.  Not as ANGRY as Agnes of Agnes and the Hitman.....yet...but the Military guy is loosing his grip. Keeps showing up. Black Mustang.  I'm thinking of you Deb L.

This would have made a GREAT MOVIE.  A classic.  Grubby and nasty enough with all sorts of good opportunities for named actors to do little crazy pervy parts..with the viewer whooping it up when they showed up.  My imagination is running wild.  

Two thirds in and will be very very sad when I get to the last page.

When I finished a recent, really spicy book, I found a site for "if you liked this book, you'll like these" and I ordered them.  It's taking forever for the lending libraries to get them to me.  Blame it on Paris was one of the four I ordered from my library.  Racing the Sun was another and the last one is When Franny Stands Up.  But today I finish up Mad. Bad and Blonde.  And will probably read it a second time...right after I turn the last page.

I am going to try and find Smart Girls Think Twice ..... I might look up- if you enjoyed Mad, Bad and Blonde you might enjoy these books........yep.

Field Notes- November 14th. Ten Days till T-Day. Sunshine here in Maine

 Not here- we still have GREEN GRASS.  Yep.  Looks like summer outside and the crab tree made some new leaves and the rose bush has a lovely pink rose.  Confused by the Weather.

I watched Football.  They must be putting drugs in the Gatorade.  Drugs that make coaches do very questionable things.  The commentators said "why would you....." many times.  Indeed.  Why would you?

All our leaves are down and cleaned up here in Maine.  We know to do it right a way.  Snow and ice could happen at any moment and then the leaves would be frozen solid on the lawn for the entire Winter. Been there done that.  Don't want to repeat.

I have on my second best red sweater.  It's thicker and doesn't have any patches.  It's my back up red sweater.  Because I might be leaving the house.  The other red sweater has so many mendings on it and is worn almost see thru thin in places.   I feel conspicuous wearing it in public.  I might take the second best off and just wear a jacket to the grocery.i just checked the outside temp- 36.  So a coat?

The problem is that if I get too warm I might pass out.  It's a Lifelong Thing.  Too warm in heavy clothing and I hit the ground.  Dizzy and then just wanting to lie down with my eyes closed.  I used to think it was low blood pressure or blood sugar or whatever.......but I tend to drop.....to the ground.  It's just what happens.  Now that I am old- I also wet my pants.  So going anywhere in my wool coat----wow. Hazard Pay.

But we are out of Chicken Parm dinners and I can feel husband's anxiety even in the next room. "what will I eat?"  A grilled cheese sandwich and pickles.  I mean really................I feel too warm in the sweater.  This is going to be a craptastic day.

Field Notes- Forgotten Saturday. How that happened is beyond me. Today is Steel Gray and Wet.

 I forgot to write yesterday.  I thought I had written.  But I didn't.  The day wasn't all that complicated or busy.  I just did nothing...like usual.  I did read. A nice sexy book.  Racing the Sun.  It takes place in Italy. Amalfi Coast.  Karina Halle.

There was some political news regarding Maine.  We've always been a reliably Republican State.  But Maine doesn't Willing Suffer Fools even wearing a peel off sticky backed Republican nametag just to get elected..  And Maine seems to have gotten itself over the Foolish Business. Paul Lepage was handed his Hat and Carpetbag and told to hurry back to Florida where he actually lives. It's Tax Free.  He just returns to Maine like the Plague to run for Governor.

I watched three Christmas Movies and 15 minutes of a few more........I watched MSNBC in small 5 minute increments.  Finally at around 10 pm they had some good smart people saying good smart stuff. Then they didn't and I switched to Lifetime to see what they had for Christmas.  Then I went to bed.

I found and removed the older Pom art works from the shelf where they were stored.  Now to consider new ways to do them. No repeats.  Like the Apple up top.  I have a pom with the  colored surface like the top image.  I don't want to cut the Pom open but I might have to. Eventually.

I have pizza dough on the counter in the kitchen for later.  Pat's aren't playing today.  Not sure if we will be watching any of the games...perhaps the Bucs.  I did like the Titans but not sure they are playing and they have no quarterback again so......weird.  But the guy from last week has had another 6 days of practicing???  I have all the lights on.. 92 percent humidity.  Dark and wet outside.  Rain.  Not Snow.

Field Notes- Friday, November 11th. Day of Infamy. I had to look up the spelling.

 Still not finished.  I stopped watching the talking heads on MSNBC.  It was too much about "what if" "might" etc.   I am not interested.  In What if.  So, I will be waiting. For What Actually IS.

The two Jackass candidates here in Maine lost.  Good Enough ..... Susan Collins wasn't running. Yet..We've had Strong, historically Strong Republican Senators.....Susan isn't one of them..... isn't the good kind of strong. I blame the current state of the Supreme Court on her.....totally. The way she voted.

The Library was closed  for Veteran's Day (surprise).  So I put my books in the overnight drop box and then talked to a young guy- perhaps as old as our son- so early 50's- (young for me) and he was drawing a tattoo for a friend.  We talked about tattoos for a bit.  Regarding coloring them in.  None of his were colored.  Ones he had on his legs, arms and neck.  He said it was time consuming and they faded.  The black ink did not.

Husband was waiting in the car for me and he was sort of fascinated watching me talk to this guy.

The grocery to finally pick up my inhalers.  $120.00.   Then oatmeal usually 3.49 is now $7.99 a box. Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup was $10.99. The extra broccoli- I like more broccoli in the soup was $ 2.99 for 10 ounces.  I had been thinking about the Panera Soup- my grocery carries it even though a Panera restaurant is nearby.  Well, Over the Bridge and a few miles.  Everything here in Maine is Over the Bridge.  Lots of Bridges.  Over Troubled Waters.

I didn't want to make it myself.  

The house is getting dark at 1:29.   It's supposed to rain.  It will be pitch dark by 4pm. A bit of sunshine.

Husband misplaced his wallet and said- maybe it's in my bathtub......huh??? so I looked.  It was in the bathtub.  Says it falls out of his pant pockets when he hangs his pants over the shower rod.  Can't make this stuff up.........

Field Notes- Thursday, November 10th. Sunshine. No Sweater. Husband goes to Doctor.

 This looks cute.  For someone other than me.

Husband had his annual doctor visit.  All his numbers looked good.  He got his Flu Shot. Did not get Pneumonia as he already had one a few years ago and it has lasting effects.  Next visit is in May of next year.

The doctor.......again suggested we get another dog.  For the Daily Walk With The Dog In the Woods. But I asked him what happens to the dog when one of us dies, or is hospitalized etc..  And he said a shelter.  Wow.  Just Wow.  He lost so many points with me...........

We stopped at Reny's the discount store.  Got two new puzzles.  I got a Trade paper.  They have low prices on Trade Paper and sometimes--ones I want to read.   Then the bookstore where I found two more puzzles and two coloring books and another book for me.  Only one book.  I had hoped to find some others but the one I found was by the author of One Day In December.  A very sad but lovely book.  This one is titled One Last Gift.  Two orphan siblings find a letter addressed to them........

It's 2 pm and it will be dark in two hours. Husband suggested we eat out but parking was non existent so we came home.  Parking is often non- existent.  We forgot to stop at the library.  Tomorrow.  Tomorrow. Tomorrow.  Just a Day Away.... I do want a McD's Bacon Egg and Cheese Bagel for a Limited Time Only.

Field Notes- Janet won the Governor's Race!!!! Sunshine. Yes, to pneumonia vaccine.

 So......Election Night is over for------awhile.  Some races are still undecided.  MSNBC was intense yesterday but once they showed that Oz had lost and  Janet was still Governor of Maine- all was right in my tiny World and I could go to bed- the Golden results aren't in and there will be a run off..  I just closed my eyes and thought "other thoughts" when results of Florida and Georgia came on the screen.  I resided in both those states for years. But never again. 

I watched two delightful Hallmark Movies-- the male actors were perfect. They made the stupid plot of each movie seem "reasonably possible" and the kissing was excellent. You all know the kissing is usually quite awful.  The lead actors in both movies really kissed the woman..  seemed happy to do it. So I kept them in my TiVo file. I finished my book.  I haven't chosen the next one yet. I washed the load of husband's garden/weeding pants and now need to fold them. The Tide Super Spray...not happy with it.  

G wants me to "mend" the knees on almost all his pants.   Not enchanted with this work. He's transitioned to sweat pants for the Winter so I can procrastinate.  I am becoming more and more enchanted with procrastination when it comes to the sewing machine.  And Pant Knee Mending. Daughter's pant knees also.

Beans and Greens soup is finished.  I may have a Toasted Cheese with Maximum Sweet Pickles today.

Husband is grumbling as he is low on dessert items for Coffee & Cake at 8 pm. And it's Wednesday. I am thinking I will have to make a second trip this week for groceries.  For Cake.  My prescription will be ready tomorrow.  so...I'll go tomorrow...... (shades of Gone With The Wind)

That's about it from here.  

Field Notes- Election Day- Tuesday, November 8th.

 A Day We Will Remember.  One way or Another.

I'm awake early.  My eyes still dry and sleepy.  I walked out to get the paper.  It's garbage pick up day. I'm coughing.  Phlegm.  I hope it's just a cold. Or allergy.  The house is closed up. The changeover from fresh air to house air.  I hope it's that.  I am one of the few still wearing a mask. In Maine.

Things that never affected me...do now.  The rash on my hands from touching things contact dermatitis..  This cough in the morning. Nothing much.  Just, I guess, the things that happen as one ages.  My dad.  I watched him everyday when I went to stay with him.  As he navigated his 80's.  So I have guideposts. Markers.  For the Future.

I think it's just a cold.  But these days even that is worrisome.

Here in Maine- the Eastern most of the states.........reaching out on rocky coastlines into the ocean. First to see the Sun each day.  Barren land.  One and a quarter million souls living here.  Never less and never more.... in the 40 or so years we've been here.  The population of a small Town or City elsewhere. But here ...a State.

Tucker Carlson broadcasts from the rocky shores of Eastern Maine.  From his converted bunker garage. 

I need say no more......

Field Notes- Monday November 7th. Clock fell back and DARK here at 4pm.

You asked...so I will tell.   I watched the Patriots Game.  I watched the Tennessee Titans game- (that was a hoot) and was incredible as they had no quarterback but had a volunteer filling in????.   I watched the Buc's game and Brady looks 10 years YOUNGER and happier than he's been in a long, long time and his hair is darker.. He also recorded 100,000 passing yards yesterday and went into the history books.  I don't know if they won or not.  The Jets- who really STUNK last week with the Patriots- beat the Bills.  Incredible.

I watched all the games until they got dull and then went back thru them as the afternoon and evening closed in. Shuffling thru.  It was a damned fine Sunday.  The pizza was pretty great as well.  Would have been a perfect Sunday if I had had wine.  Today.  I can do wine today.

I got my end cut of Baked Ham (for lentil soup using the German Recipe) and the butcher winked at me.  How cool is that????  He was nice looking. Younger than me by about 10 years.  Which is okay.  I had my mask on so he couldn't see me smiling.  Maybe my eyes were smiling????  I had remembered to comb my hair.

I also bought my Annual Pomegranate Drawing Model. so I can do a daily piece of art.  Watercolors, chalk, pencils and even cloth.  Let the Pom Games begin. You will see them here as they get draw, painted etc.  It's a Tradition.  I might not have done it last year. I will go back and check.  Or one of you can.  

Library was good.  Life is good.  Or will be when the Leaf Blowing STOPS!!!! Across the street.

I got some Tide Stain Removal Spray.  Last resort sort of stuff.  For G's clothing.

Field Notes- Made the Soup. Vacuumed the floors. Dusted. Scrubbed the stove top.

 Lusting over this Onion Soup.  I have brown bowls like this. Image arrived in my email.

My washing pods- I went down to look.... are ALL Stainlifter Pods.  With Oxi.  I even use TWO for each wash instead of one.  My clothes look clean.  His clothes do not.

He has always been waxy/oily.  And as he gets older it gets worse.

I skipped everything but breakfast yesterday and was vacuuming the entire house and then wiping down table tops etc. I even cleaned off the old stove. Moved some things to the Goodwill Box.  Other things got soaked in Dawn and scrubbed. And then watched two old favorite Hallmark Movies. 

Today I disconnected electronics on my husband's side table- something plugged in and not used since dinosaurs walked the Earth and he secretly used credit card points to buy an Apple iPad. And the Pencil. And didn't need his old stuff. Anymore.

So.....great start to the day.  He lost his eyeglasses....same spot.  Easy enough to find.

Football at 1pm.  Then Pizza.  Connie's recommended book- Out of the Clear Blue Sky.  Didn't end as I had thought.  So a different book.  It was a wonderful book.  Connie always lets me know when she reads a good one.  I try and let her know if I do.  I think she should read The Royals Next Door.

Someone asked if I read my husband's blog.  Does he have one? 

Comments the past two days.  Thank you.

Field Notes- Saturday. November 5th. I MADE THE DAMNED SOUP

 I made Beans and Greens.  I ate two bowls.

My friend is throwing things into the slow cooker and letting it go all day and then eating whatever it was later in the day (sausage and peppers).  I replied that I usually follow a specific recipe but I can see how that might not be the way to go........ the last book I read- Anyone But You by Crusie- the 40 something just divorced woman had a crock pot.  In fact, Crusie often has a crock pot in her books.  The one with the cop moving in with a shooting victim.....she taught him how to cook using the crock pot ...but making nachos was his favorite signature "dish".

Next soup will be Lentil.  I have a bunch of bags of dry lentils.  I need a thick slice of Baked Ham from the deli on Monday but......Lentil.   I have leftover soup for today and tomorrow is Football Pizza.  So I am covered.  If I recall: if one has carrots, onion and celery handy- one has soup.  I even know how to make Black Bean Bisque.  I would need sour cream or heavy cream to finish it off.  Heavy Cream.  

I was reading Out of the Clear Blue Sky and NOW realize I have read this book- even though it has a NEW sticker on it.  I read it a few YEARS ago.  I knew the story- so I flipped to the end and yep...that's how I knew it was ending. Weird.  I am thinking I read it in Hard Cover and this is a Trade Paper?????

I need to buy something other that  the pods I am using to wash my clothes.  Things are getting dingy. Bleach is a no go as we have a septic system and bleach kills the beneficial things that make the Septic Work. Any suggestions?????  Let me know before Monday as that is shopping day.  I have been using Spray and Wash but it does NOTHING.  I have a bar of strong yellow soap-- I could rub it over the stains. Yes??? Fels Naphta. (spelling error)  Daughter used it at camp- kept mosquitos away. I think it's good on stains?  

Do you think I need a Wellness Check?

Field Notes- November 4th. Another Friday. Sunshine and almost all the leaves have left the trees.

 I think this image is of a Cobbler?  Peaches and Blueberries????

No comments on the last few posts.  Few Readers.  I am guessing the Politics are taking attention....

I just finished a very good book..... The Royals Next Door.  Bodyguard (British) and a third grade teacher. A new book The Royals Upstairs should be coming out this month.  Next up is Connie's recommendation-- Out of the Clear Blue Sky.  Connie has NEVER steered me wrong on books or anything else.  It took forever for me to find and reserve a copy....and then I had to wait....and wait..... but good things come to those who are patient.

I am patiently waiting for my I Voted Sticker to show up.  It was in my pocket.  Now it isn't.

I did a load of wash.  Folded the stuff I had forgotten in the dryer ages ago.  Folded today's washing. And now I am sitting here with you.  I keep saying I must make soup.  I don't make soup.  And then when I get hungry...I regret not making soup......until the next day......repeat. I did select and cook a bag of pasta for husband to add to his Chicken Parm dinners.  He was pleased. When He found it all ready to use in the fridge. 

I can be nice.  Not often.  But I can do it.

I sharpened all my husband's colored pencils.  He was happy.  He also has nice desserts and is enjoying the $50 plus flavored coffee pods I bought him for his Keurig.  His birthday is this month....so all month I do nice things....... It's only the 4th.  I might get tired long before the end of the month.

He didn't remember my birthday but I expected that as he hardly remembered it. Ever. Even when it's on the calendar.

I read once that in marriage one is the Kisser and one is the one being Kissed.  I was getting kissed quite a lot during the months prior to getting married.  Then not much all. Then never.

Field Notes- Thursday, November 3rd. Chilly in the House. Sunshine Outside.

 I am going thru my picture files.....seeing what all is in there.  I may have used this image before but in the file I couldn't quite figure out what it was.  Now I know. I can go back and delete.  (I just did)

My hands are cold.  My nose is running.  I have pasta to boil so husband has "extra" to add to his dinners. I have Escarole in the fridge that needs to be used up and made into Beans and Greens Soup.  I ate the last of my Orange Chicken Chinese food yesterday afternoon.  I read the last 20 pages of a book I selected at the library.  I remembered liking it. I was wrong.  The book needed serious editing.  Which is rather hilarious and sad at the same time as the main character is a book editor. 

When you read a book a day.... and this also means you read a chapter or less and stop in MANY OTHER BOOKS and keep going thru the pile until you can find ONE to read all the way to the end... you wonder who edits the books.  

Did they read them????? did some editor pretend to have read them?  They should never have been published.  They are terrible books. A waste of paper. Pointless dribble for pages- endless pages. Confused plot lines- where the hell did this character come from????  What happened to what's her name? WHERE are we? And the weirdest one of all......WHEN are we?

My hands itch.  I have touched too many things.  I watched Secrets of the Dead- this time an ancient buried tomb in Egypt.  With the beginning use of pictographs and language.  The circle with a dot inside. One of my favorite things to make when I doodle- Ra.  Now I know. Ra. It's always been with me.

I went to college too soon.  Too young. 17.  I had no backstory or history.  Going in my thirties or forties would have been amazingly good.  I could have graduated.  Had a career.  At 76 everything is seen in the rear view mirror.  But Ra.  Nice to have that ...to know that.

I really hate when I have things to do.  I am quite contrary.  Knowing I need to boil water and cook pasta and chop and saute for soup- in the past I loved that sort of thing- now I am so very very annoyed by it all.

I did wipe down the baseboard edges in my bathroom.  They were coated in dust. Then I left the room. More things looked like they needed attention and I wasn't interested.

Whatever the haircutter did or did not do to my hair.....I told her to do what she wanted...well, that wasn't something I should have said.  None of it will lay flat.  It's sticking up in odd places.  I look deranged. I keep running my hands over my head.  OMG.  My hands are freezing.  Husband ate breakfast and then went back to sleep on the couch.  He has two speeds now.  Awake and busy and asleep. Today is going to be an asleep day. Nope.  He just woke up.  I should not have had "thoughts".  Even inside my head he hears them.

Field Notes- Wednesday. November 2nd. Warmish. Cloudy. Good Chance of Shouting.

 Our take away from a Delightful Luncheon yesterday.  Food for the Husbands.

We had Wine, Great food and Dessert.  We plan to try to have lunch every month.  We used to walk in the weeks when I was losing weight as I was approaching 60, her daughter was getting married and then having a baby--we walked Riley as a Puppy and the Red Socks won the World Series.  But once the baby arrived- she was occupied.  I was working.  Riley got too large and bouncy for walks with a infant.......but now.  We are going to give it another try. The baby is in high school, I'm not losing weight and Riley is no longer walking here on Earth.

We talked about all of that.  We laughed quite a bit.  There were tears as well.  Which is why we hold old friends so close to us......

The gal cutting my hair wondered if the husband who drove off to buy Bird Seed was going to remember to come back for me...I said I wondered about that too.  She asked if he was an "Original Husband" and I said he was. I guess they are RARE. Though I did say, the 70's were not great for married people but other choices seemed worse.  My husband's "pals" went thru wives (and 17 to 20 year old girls) like Kleenex.  

I spent $99 on a small bag of things at the grocery.  Mostly mouthwash, Aveeno skin moisturizer, and I forget what else.  Brownies and Chicken Parm dinners.  I still haven't made soup. 

We Voted.  I think there were only four races for us to vote on.  Governor was the Big One. Choice between the Governor we have now- a nice woman- or the Asshole we had before her.  I refused to vote for the people running unopposed.  Didn't like them.  I did vote for District Attorney because I know her.

My Library friend ordered a book for me......I told her about another one.  We are both very excited...

Field Notes- November 1st. Percentages of how many of us will develop dementia as we age. 10 to 30%

 One More Crayon Sculpture.

We had two groups of Treaters yesterday.  The Twins from down the street with a friend.  And later a group of very well mannered Teens.  Yes Mam, No Sir.  Thank you etc.  I don't know where they live. I should have asked.  But then that would have been weird.  I had to give away my Kit Kat bars.  I had them in the freezer.  On the Sports show they discussed freezing candy before eating.  Making it more wonderful.  Peanut butter cups would benefit.  Snickers.  The Kit Kat would have been amazing frozen.

Started the day with a nice hot shower.  My skin feels silky smooth.  I have on long, ankle length green linen pants my daughter found at Goodwill recently- this is the first time I am wearing them.  A white shirt I've owned for possibly 20 years.  Long sleeves rolled a bit.  I will be wearing red shoes. I wish I had a red leather Coach bag.  They stopped making style the bag I like....before I realized I wanted them in more colors.  

I saw a customer in the greenhouse one day (years ago when I was still working).  With the bag, exact style I like, in RED.  My heart stopped for a second or two.  I caught up with her and she said she had gotten it from a second hand retailer. The retailer had searched for it for her- it took a very long time to find one...she said. I didn't even bother asking if she wanted to sell it.

I think about it every time I wear the red shoes. I have, more likely than not, written about this before. Here.

Lunch date in 90 minutes. I am reading Fast Women by Crusie.  A smaller sized  hardcover the library bought- getting rid of the older edition.  I missed out on it on the throw away carts.  The printing company dropped words when they got to the margins in this new Fun Sized book. I've only gotten to page 67 and I lost count of how many words are missing.  The margins are VERY straight. Their focus. Some of those words mattered.

Now that I am taking the elevator to the second floor where the puzzles are-----I get to notice the empty shelving in non Fiction.  It's....profound.