Spring Notes- A Sunshine Day with temps in the high 40's. Should warm up.

 I thought this was Spring Like.   My teeth are nice and clean and smooth after my dental visit.  I also have a new SONIC toothbrush....electric.  Very buzzy.  Needs time to get used to the sensations.  Buzzy.

My blood pressure was high...usually she takes it at the beginning but this time- having forgotten-- she took it at the end... 140 over 80.  I never like the scrapping and the buzzing and all the rest of it.  So I think the higher numbers were due to that.  Usually I am at 120.  At my doctors visit - they said my blood pressure reading was excellent.

A robo call for my eye exam.  I thought the doctor's name was Mark but the robot thought the name was Marky..... so, we'll see.  On Monday.  Dentist and Eye Doctor back to back.  Then the stove assessment.

I was trolling the internet yesterday to see if there were any ideas about cooking pasta minus the stove. And there was one very interesting one involving hot water, microwave and then a 4 minute resting time. Sounds like it might work.  Son said we could try it with Kraft Mac and Cheese... then I could mix up some of my deluxe "Baked Beans" --also in the microwave....just canned beans with a bunch of extras. Mustard, brown sugar and ketchup.  If I have any (yes, I do) onion powder.  I like to buy the canned beans that have bacon in them already.  He really enjoys this two items.

Son is going to make us some steamed rice in the cute little machine that beeps. 

Today is grocery shopping day.   The fridge is pretty bare.

Spring Notes- Cold over night and Sunshine today-43 degrees.

 The Tree.  That my neighbors suggested (strongly) I have removed. At my expense.

 Lower left you can see the two white propane tanks.  And my neighbor's garage.  The tanks are "right on" the property line.

Son was watching the progress of the guy who climbs the tree and cuts off branches with a chair saw. but lost sight of him as he got ABOVE the roof of our two story house.  I was standing outside with my coffee...watching.  Terrifying and also quite interesting........

Dentist today at 1:10.  Just the Annual Visit......next week the long awaited Eye Exam and New Glasses. And the day after- the "assessment of the space" for the New Stove and Microwave.

In the newspaper, a long missing painting by Gustav Klimt sold in Vienna for 32 Million.  It had "gone missing" during World War Two.  It's Jewish owners leaving Austria and their belongings behind.  No one knows where the painting was from 1925 to 1960's. It's a very beautiful painting of a woman.

"gone missing"--I actually take issue with that wording. It's offensive.

My neighbor has generously allowed the tree workers to park the wood chipper in his driveway.  Otherwise they would have had to drive on my lawn and make serious dents in the grass.  I estimate five truckloads of wood chips- counting the one they are working on now.   Possibly more..so far.  I did not want them. The chips.

Well, the "Fargo" wood chipper is going full speed now.  And I have taken my vitamins. Eaten my oatmeal.  Read the newspaper.  Made my bed. Made an effort- (futile) with my hair.  I still look like a Mad Woman.  I am now going down to the work room and plugging in the iron and ironing the shirt I may or may not wear to the dentist visit....I have 6 shirts I want to spray starch and iron.  Like I used to do all the time....and then I stopped......but want to start again.  Do things, like ironing, that I enjoyed doing. Again.

A Very Cold Spring Note- Wednesday, April 24th. Dentist tomorrow.

 Interesting landscape.

It's a bit dark in the house and there is a chill in the air.   Yesterday my eyes were very dry and made reading and even coloring difficult.....TV was boring...so I snacked round the clock.  I hate when that happens and I can't seem to control it....a sort of depressive behavior.

Snap Out of It.

I need to turn on a few lights.  People are still arriving at my neighbor across the street- Staging her House for Sale.  Not actually bringing in furniture-  so it feels ODD.

Was sorting paper and found a letter from 1988 from my husband's long time college roommate.   Years later Doug visited us in Maine...on the day Gary fell thru the roof and into the kitchen of the McDonalds.. he had been climbing up to try and fix something and missed a step on the ladder......after that...we all went out to dinner.  I think Doug might have been on wife three at that time...in the letter he sent to us in Germany he was on wife two.  By now he must be on wife four or five if he is still alive.

I am reading a British book..started it yesterday... This Bird Has Flown by Susanna Hoffs.  They meet on a cross Atlantic flight--seated next to each other in first class.  He's a professor at Oxford and she's an old school Rocker.  Pink hair.  Embarrassing episodes on the iPhone.  She was once pretty famous for singing one song with a very impressive Rocker...naked I think..  They are going to sing that song again--together (in London) for the first time since........ so what about the Oxford Professor after that??????

I have certainly selected a variety of strange stuff this past Library Day.  I stand and just look at the variety of books- one has already gone into the return bag after only one page. and there is another book- nagging at me in the recesses of my brain...I can't recall much about it....

Dentist tomorrow and next week for the "see if the stove fits" visit with the Appliance Guys & Miss Joanne.  Rock On.

Spring Notes- 33 degrees this morning...sigh. will Winter ever give up here in Maine????

 We might have had this image before but it's early and I gave up looking at the tiny pics on the right side of the screen.  And...for the first time...not really interested in pancakes......... who am I????

Yes, 33 degrees at the end of April here in Maine.  So very close to freezing.  The furnace is rumbling. Warming up after I moved the numbers from 60 to 64.  Grass looks frosty.

Slow start to the morning.  And I am usually NEVER awake and dressed at 7:30am. I went to bed at 9pm.

I watched an interesting program on PBS. Tell Me More..On Life. You can get the written info  PBS@KellyCorrigan.com.   Four professionals discussing Life and how we changed over the past century. And what we all actually need more of...sleep.  That came at the very end.  The next episode is about Parenting.  Check your local tv listing.

At 77.7, I can say for sure......sleep is what I am needing.  Sleep is possibly what I have needed for most of my Life.  Because...truth here....I am feeling so much better because I am going to bed early and sleeping. Really sleeping.  Just (my least favorite word) sleeping.  And each day, I feel more creative, happier, more relaxed.  It's a good feeling.

The Tree Guys chipped everything that was chip worthy.  The larger  pieces will be "firewood" and will also be taken away.  I am considering having them grind the stumps.  Make the yard look more like a golf course.  The gigantic monster pine next to the neighbor's propane tanks....hasn't been touched as yet.  Saving the best for last.  Two other trees have rope tied to the top....the tree climber will go back up and cut the tree from the top down.   When he comes back.

Two MORE houses on the street are now listed for sale.  A third sold last Spring and a fourth 6 months before that...the one next door with all the noise.  Three of them are the same style house.  Another belongs to my Lunch Buddy and will be listed as soon as she finds a nice place in one of the retirement communities.  No luck so far.  The remainder of homes on the street are one of a kind custom builds.  So sales comps won't applied to the rest of us.  But we'll get a general idea.

And that's how it's rolling here in Maine on a very cold morning.  I went thru husband's coloring stuff. The books will go to the library-- in the magazine recycling rack......where I took his word search books. I found a few mandala drawings I had made for him...pasted one into the art notebook where I do my daily drawing.....I colored one of them... it looks pretty nice. Well, actually, better than nice.  Surprised myself.

Spring Notes- Monday, April 22nd. Woodchipping- reminds me of Fargo.

 Lovely Salad.  I will be having salads this week minus the red stuff- never included in any of the salad green mixes..  Even though it's still pretty chilly in the house- it's sunny outside.  I am still wearing a sweater over a thermal shirt and wool socks--in the house.  If it stays chilly I will be making Soup in one of the Crock Pots.....(no working stove)

I am enjoying my second Gummy Vitamin... Gummies so I don't choke. On my Vitamin.  Once was enough.

The Tree Guys- a different group- is shoving the cut limbs and branches into the chipper...they brought their lunch coolers so I guess they plan to stay awhile.  The Tree Climber has not returned.

On our drive to Town, we see piles of branches on the front edges of properties....I think they are waiting for the wood chipper fairy.  Laughable.

I watched European Soccer yesterday.....learned about off sides.  I also colored in a drawing I had made for husband - one he refused to color....so I pasted it into my book and colored it....very nice.

Yesterday was a difficult day- the day before also....the right side of my neck and shoulder really ached. Son said I had done too much coloring...(???) . I would have used my heating pad but daughter asked for it for her cat....and now it has cat on it...and I am allergic to cats.  And she hasn't returned it..  Tylenol didn't really seem to work very well without heat.  Sigh.  It feels better right now but as the day goes on....it will bother me.

No newspaper today... the paper takes Monday Off.  I have already gotten the recycling out.  Ready for Tuesday Morning Pickup.  I am actually ahead and not behind.......which is very very different.

Son just reminded me the Appliance Store is supposed to call and come look at our "situation" to see if we can fit the new stove in.   They haven't called as yet.  I have already thought about it.  I have a dentist appointment coming up...so they will come that day......for sure...

Spring Notes- Sunday, April 21st-- 53 degrees and Sunshine

 A lovely yard and path to walk.  Long ago, I wanted this yard to look like that.

My neighbor across the street is packing up all her art.  One piece was a dye on fabric painting I did at the height of my interest in that sort of thing.  And she bought it long ago and had it framed.   And now, I bought it back.  And it's here now.  In my house.

I am not going to take it's picture until I figure out how to do it. But you will see it.

We did go out and look at new handles for the kitchen cupboards and we did select a very plain style in flat black. And my Son did one cupboard and we looked and got to know them and decided...yes...and he went and got enough for the rest of the kitchen.   One small injury during the process- his finger.  So 99% a success story.

Can I just say....those new modern handles on the cabinets- have changed the look and feel of my 1986 kitchen....it looks and feels brand new.  Amazing.

And for your Daily Laugh.....we asked daughter if we could borrow her electric frying pan.....to make things (like bacon and grilled cheese) until the appliance people come decide yes or no on the new stove fitting into the space and them being able to install it in the space (lots of moving parts).  

Daughter dropped off an electric frying pan...it was a wedding gift for me in 1968.  I said I wasn't sure I wanted to plug it in- Son said it would "only" blow the breaker if things weren't right....  He has a coupon for pizza so we are going to have Sunday Pizza as usual.

I don't like the word "just" as a modifier but "only" in regards to electricity might be worse.

Spring Notes- Saturday, April 20th...Raining.and 46 degrees

 This stove came with the house when we bought the house.  I've used it just about every day since.

Yesterday the stove decided to die... while I was trying to make a grilled cheese sandwich. So I pulled the  seldom used Panini maker out and plugged it in and made a damned fine sandwich....a bit messy but very very nice. Crispy edges..bread and cheese.  who knew???? Not me.

 Stove is built in (sort of) to the cabinets etc (as you might be able to see) - the area where it lives (lived) is referred to as the submarine. Because under and around this island are so many outlets and plugs and switches that the last Electrician to work down in the basement- referred to that area as being worse than a submarine.  Most older guys around here were in the Navy.

It didn't die at 9am (though it might have) but the clock has been at 9 am or 9 pm for quite a few years now- possibly decades.  I have a picture of what I want next- but I am not showing it to you until a guy comes out to see if that stove can actually FIT into the space.  We are also going to try and replace the microwave.  I was all for a stand alone on the counter but Son would like to put a new one where the old one is now.... in a little custom space over the counter.

We also decided to replace the cabinet knobs- handles- with something black and modern.  50.  We need 50 of whatever we choose. Perhaps less if we use round knobs for the cupboards like I did here in the living room.  Son would have liked black in the bathrooms also...so we can change those..to black.

Son worked on updating my computer yesterday after we shopped for a new stove.  Finally got rid of the Cloud.  the new computer will have cable from the keyboard and pad so I don't have to put batteries in all the time.....we use a ridiculous amount of batteries.  Right now the mouse is asking for batteries. and acting up...... well, mouse decided to end the post.... so I'll stop now.....

Spring Notes- Friday, April 19th. Cloudy and 55 degrees. No sign of the Tree Guys.

 They had this in the News Feed regarding Ozempic the weight loss drug with the very very high price tag. There must be a very high demand for it and insurance is started to push back.  Can't blame them.  Same with Insulin.  I wonder if Biden will step in?

Well, Grocery was good but I still feel like I forgot to buy something...  I did remember deodorant.  Difficult to find scent free anything....but I did find one.  Scent of any kind gives me a head ache. Even my detergent is scent free.  

I got a load of Jude Devereaux books.  I am reading one- Remembrance- or close enough.  woman goes back in time etc etc.  It's one my daughter got me at a used bookstore.  I also got the book that comes after the two I read last week.....but maybe it doesn't.  And by load--the bag was quite heavy- I made my son carry it.

Son says I bought more of what I already had here in the house....probably as he has a really good memory.  Makes up for my shaky memory.  Sometimes I just remember things that make me smile and have nothing to do with anything....he doesn't like that.  Store didn't have orange cake mix....I have a recipe and wanted to do an orange bundt.  Nope.  So I bought more yogurt based ice cream bars.

I continue to make a drawing a day in my big art book.  I am using husband's pencils and sharpening them...but noticed on the newspaper reading table- a cup of pencils...so I will be grabbing those as well they might even be ones I bought for myself.....which would be great because I bought nicer ones.

I just answered the phone and hung up on the "Pain Management Center".  Endless Phone Crap.

Spring Notes- Thursday, April 18th. sunshine and a bit colder than yesterday. 53 degrees.

 This is titled "All Purpose Biscuit."

I would just name it YUMMY.

Well, lunch was terrific- I had the Eggplant Parm (again) and a Gin and Tonic (for the first time).

It's almost 11am and the tree guys aren't here.  Son said they told him that they had to be somewhere else in the morning yesterday...possibly doing that again.  

I was cold yesterday and could not figure out why......I had on a short sleeved tee shirt under my work shirt... so I quickly went and changed into a thermal undershirt...even at 53 degrees.....it's cold here. I might actually break down and put my sweater back on.  I do have wool socks on. But I wear socks all summer here in Maine.

I finished reading Legend.  Not one of my favorites but it was quite enjoyable.  At the end.

I have a book waiting for me at the Library....tomorrow we go grocery shopping.  And to the Library. It seems like years since we have done that....the fridge is quite empty but we both still find things to eat. I am looking forward to a pan fried "Grilled Cheese" sandwich today.... with lots of cheese slices tucked into it.  All the pizza has been eaten.  I checked the fridge- I have rice I need to eat with some of my frozen vegetables.....I'll skip the cheese sandwich.... it will "keep" another day.

Paid the oil delivery bill. $995.   We were close to bottoming out.  That's with the discount.

I have continued to do a drawing in the art notebook each day...they are all quite different. Then I color them with husband's left over colored pencils...sharpening them until they get quite short. Eventually I will use my own pencils....I did some newspaper collage on one...that was something I used to do .....but then I stopped...I am thinking the notebook drawings are sort of like priming the pump......we'll see how it goes.

Spring in Maine Notes- Sunshine, 49 degrees and no sign of the Tree Guys.

 I don't have any tulips as yet but plenty of the second generation of daffodils.  The first, the ones I took a picture of for the blog- got covered in that last Surprise snowfall and died.   Tulips are iffy in Maine.  Only the first season is for sure.  Like new arrivals to Maine....iffy.

But I like them.  Very much.  (the tulips and the new arrivals)

It's cold in the house this morning ( I just noticed I had forgotten to turn up the thermostat for HEAT).  The Tree Guys haven't shown up.  A very Maine work style.  

I have a lunch date with my neighbor at number one in 30 minutes.  We've both been cooped up for too long without "women chat" so looking forward to it.......and the wine.  I might have a Gin and Tonic. Extra Limes.

I am reading a Devereaux that I sort of remember reading.  Legend.  Cowboy stuff.  Horses. Guns. etc. Cooking rabbits over an open fire...cooking fish over an open fire....bathing in pond water. Stinky.

Tru-Green showed up.  I had to send him away.  With all the branches piles on the grass- he would have gotten himself all tangled up...He said he'd be back in two weeks.  I never actually expect Tru Green to show up or to come back in two weeks...this was a much older man...perhaps he will come back?? Or forget.

I have on a pair of green pants from one of the storage tubs...I've decided the  reason Bean sold employees the pants for 25 cents- is that the tag inside with the size- is NOT the size.........at all. So this is the second pair I tried on.....I will have a Sharpie with me next time and write on the tag what I think the size actually is...for any pants I try on.... at least both legs on the pants I have on- are the same length.  That's a bonus.

Spring Sunshine Notes- Tuesday, April 16th. Guys are here cutting down trees.

 The Sun is Shining here in Maine.  57 degrees.  I have a chair next to the window and stop to sit and watch the guys climbing trees with a running chain saw.  I don't recognize any of them.  They have their blue energy drinks and smokes..  Making very neat piles of fire wood and things for the chipper.  On my neighbor's weedy grass.  Waiting for her to bounce over here to complain.  Make my day.

I think they might try and drop the branchless tree down next to the house....and propane tanks. I hope not.

So...Twins and Dad and Dog stopped by yesterday evening to say hello.  I guess the father visited California and San Fran. recently.  He and son discussed good restaurants.  The Golden Gate Bridge (which I loved crossing all those years we visited California).... 

They haven't chosen a new house in Houston as yet.  Question is- just how many bathrooms do they need?

Always a good question.

I was shocked to hear that almost every house on the street has a flooded basement with sump pumps pumping......Son made a quick visit to our crawl space....dry.  Most neighbors have made their basements into rec rooms, movie theaters, bedrooms etc.  All that is ruined.

I just finished reading Devereaux's  The Girl From Summer Hill...still love the first 3 pages. Met Her Match is second but I am wondering if there is a third book in the series.  Any Readers out there know?

So....I put some of the Attic Clothes in the closet...I am using both closets.  Husband's closet has stacked cloth storage boxes in the hanger part and on the shelves my Attic Storage Box Clothing. Son decided I was right and "I have no business going up and down stairs carrying things".  

I have a Lunch Buddy Lunch on Wednesday.....  can't wait.

Spring Notes- Monday April 15th. A Miracle. And a New Post.

 Yes, Dear Readers- I am back and this is a new post.

Perhaps it was Magical Thinking on my part or the crying......either way, I am getting to write a new post and have a new image here and the Sun is shining and the Lawn Guy and I had a lovely chat.  He is looking for someone to do his billing..book keeping....  I am tempted.

I had also forgotten how handsome he is. And how tall. And young. Very young.

The pond along side the house is still full of water....the daffodils are looking amazing. The Tree Guy is way way behind due to the days of Rain, Wind and Snow.  In April.

The Sun is shining here in Maine and it's 52 degrees.

Yesterday's Pizza was different but delicious with a side of Romaine and Ranch Dressing .  I am eating my way thru a bag of Orange Slice Candy. I wanted it and I am enjoying it but I won't buy anymore....I like wearing loose pants.

Speaking of loose pants....Son brought all the tubs of clothing down from the Attic...I now have a PILE of moss green corduroy pants in my bedroom and need to find a place to put them.  Various sizes.  I did also find some cotton cropped pants for summer (in the tubs) but not the black ones I like very very much.  I did see them at LLBean on a winter shopping trip and they were asking OVER ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS for each pair of pants.  I did not buy any.

I am not exaggerating the PILE of pants in my bedroom.  I will be going down later to try pants on and store what I can't wear.....  and wear what I can wear..... and it will all work out.

REALLY HAPPY to be back here....I LOVE A MIRACLE!!!!!

 

Spring Notes- Sunday, April 14th. Deleting old post and writing a new one.

So. the new normal.   Delete and then type.  Yesterday we figured out that blogger had done an overnight upgrade and my old system here didn't support it.  Well, didn't support the New Post button.  I may try and add a different image but right now- why press my LUCK so to speak. And I do love my thread.

The Computer Engineer's laptop can open a new post.  So...there's that.  But he has important stuff on there and an old 77 year old working on a tiny keyboard can do quite a bit of accidental damage.  So I begged off of that.   We could also make a terrifying (for me) drive down I95 to Portland. Just the thought of it makes my stomach cramp up.  I haven't been on I95 in- possibly many years. The Apple store is there.

We could also JUST (I hate that word and I hear it so often these days- Just do this, Just do that)  I can't manage to do JUST anymore.  Anyway...we could JUST order a New Desk Top and have it shipped here.... We could.  We might.

Son carried down over a dozen storage boxes containing clothing... I sorted- stuff I will never wear is going to Goodwill (too small)....husband's stuff that Son doesn't want to wear is going to Goodwill. I did find several pairs of the moss green corduroy LLBean pants in sizes better suited to my 40 pound weight loss.  (which I may not be maintaining)  16 is too small and 20 is too big.  18 is just right??? we'll see.

I sharpened colored pencils from husband's spin around container.  For my notebook Daily Art Project. I drew my desktop computer and keyboard for yesterday's image.  I wish I could show it to you.  I actually think it would be fun to show you the previous day's art up top......someday. Quite a few pencils are watercolor pencils- meaning they are actually MY pencils.... and he took them and used them in his coloring books.  

Water is still collecting in the ditch next to the house- like old times.  And the Peepers are peeping.  My son had some very bad words to express about the noise waking him up very early in the morning.  I did not hear them.  I would have liked to hear them.  No deer in the backyard yet. And none of the fat birds that come each year with their tiny baby birds.  The April Snow might have put them off.

It has been a delight to hear from some of More Whiff's And Glimmer's blog readers.....  Pomegranate - I had lost you for a few years there...but so happy to get your comment!!!!

Spring Notes- Wednesday, April 10th. Clouds and Rain. 44 degrees

 My back garden.  The heavy snow of last week didn't kill them all....the all yellow ones are gone but these sweet cream and yellow daffodils- a long ago gift from my Brother in Law-- are still multiplying.

Yes  I took a picture and sent it ....I am a Rock Star Today!!!!

The taxes are done and gone...and I forgot I signed them almost immediately..so the short term memory is shot.   Which might be why I forget how to take and send photos if I THINK TOO MUCH.  Reflexive DOING is the best way to go......I did manage to transfer the photo and get it to the page...

Anyway.   Son has carried a few Clothing Tubs from the Attic.  Size 14 was first...not happening (laughing) but the size 16 box has a few possibilities. The 14 Box had some additional pairs of the LLBean mossy green corduroy pants that I practically LIVE in.....but I am not a size 14.  But I can work toward it.

Taxes got signed....taken away....and money I get goes back into the accounts....

I stayed up late to read a Jude Devereaux book.  An old one. First Impressions.  As soon as I read the first paragraph I knew it was one I liked....very much.  And it still is...good books are such a comfort to me these days.

Well,  Missing with out a Clue (I know that's not the title) is on in a half hour so I need to do a few things before settling into the couch cushions.  

In a different note: the  House Phone rang with one of those "Hi Grandma" calls... I said I'm not a Grandma and the kid laughs and says "just kidding, it's your nephew" and I said don't have one of those either, asshole and hung up........ what a day so far, huh?

After the Eclipse -- I eventually went out to "see" it. It never really got dark here- but it happened in the Maine Sky.

 This is a different eclipse- Lunar.

So Tuesday, April 9th.  Sunshine and 52 degrees-  3000 Maine homes still without power.  Son and I are thankful it's not the two of us.

In 60 years no one I was sharing the eclipse with will be alive.  Think about that.  Or don't.

Sunshine today.  Rain is expected in the coming days.

My oatmeal has beeped and is now ready to eat...My coffee is also ready....the daily newspaper is waiting on the table for me....the garbage men have come and gone....A very very normal Tuesday.

The dining room radiator thumped.....I think it needs to be burped... but I don't think the plumber ever handed the burp keys over to me....so....I searched the box of papers having to do with the work- nothing for radiators....I know they were ordered from Canada.  Sigh.

It's ALWAYS SOMETHING...it can never just be plain and simple.  sigh.

Spring Notes- Monday April 8th. sunshine and 41 degrees....Morning.

 Haven't been up this early in quite awhile...the 12 hour sleeping pattern is changing......but I needed to recoup the sleep I lost.  And perhaps I am full now.

I dug an old, mostly unused ART notebook out of the cupboard yesterday and started off center with a circle and then another and then another until the page was full and then I added design stuff and colored in the spaces with one of the many sets of colored pens/pencils husband had.....Some are used up and dry... they got tossed......but enough were still usable.

Missing Without a Trace was playing in the background.

I scrubbed the sinks in both bathrooms.... I hadn't done that in awhile....a very very long while.

I set a load of my own laundry on in the washing machine.  I have on clothes and underwear .. new to me sizes....smaller and tighter than the "usual' has been for years.... I feel like I am shedding my old self and have no idea what comes next.... is this how snakes feel?   

I sharpened a pencil with soft warm black color....I like using it.

I am waking up.  

Will Winter EVER End Notes- Sunday, April 7th. 42 degrees Cranky Joanne

 Japanese Maple from somewhere but not my yard.

So, You all will be getting Cranky Joanne for a few posts....what a shit storm- literally and figuratively.  Son and I are getting very very tired of the Off and On Power infrastructure here.  This time it was trees falling on the lines....everywhere.   CUT THE DAMN THINGS DOWN. Daughter lives in Town and she had power.  All the stores and restaurants also had power (no trees)....my street was the last and we only got power because my Master Gardener classmate......has a working land line and she called it in.  None of our  landline phones worked...no way to even call for an emergency or fire. No cell service.

One thing Maine has in abundance is very very old TOP heavy shitty trees growing in sandy soil...alongside power lines...cause why bury them???????  Just wait for trees to tip over and take all the power lines with them- even land on a car with people in it.....or just on people.  That didn't happen this time. But it has. And perhaps they haven't found them yet.

Not that Winter has anything to do with anything as the power goes out in all the other seasons- especially summer.  We are ordering a whole house generator....the wait will be long...

Other News-  while dishing up the delicious Chinese Takeout-- the left lens of my glasses popped out just after the frame cracked.  Yes....three times.  Cause once is never enough...I now have on glasses from 10 to 15 years ago.  A very very nice red frame.  Trifocals.  I used them for about 2 days.  At the time, I never really could judge where the ground was when walking and how far I had to reach before touching anything....  really great prescription....I went to a new doctor and got a new, better prescription and glasses.   .... and I might have written all this yesterday.....so what.

Because Life As I Know It....is actually so crapped up....the old glasses work now.  The sink seems very deep and I feel very tall (it could be true) and .......life is an adventure.  I am using my always reading glasses. And have to wait until tomorrow to watch  Missing with out a Trace.  From 12 to 3 pm. the only thing I actually look forward to each day.....the newspaper Suduko puzzles have disappointed me.  Too often for me to look forward to them anymore.  And the mail......well, it's just bills.  But not very often.

Winter Storm Notes from Fricking Maine- 42 degrees and SNOW covered everything.

 Postcard from Provence 

Hello. working with internet and extension cords....Also a different network.  Computer Engineer finally got fed up.....got creative....we are both typing away.

So.......Nothing is working here...we have the gas generator on the driveway running hot water, some lights, the fridge and microwave.  Basics of Civilization.  Phone Landlines are out so emergency stuff is a no go. Like if your house was on fire or someone needed an ambulance.  I haven't had internet until like 5 minutes ago- via the extension cords.....and haven't been able to do anything but text the neighbors....

And because shit likes to happen all at the same time......the replacement frames on my eyeglasses cracked and my left lens fell into my plate of Chinese Take Out...last night.  I am wearing a pair of glasses with lenses from about 10 years ago- I wore them for like a week back then and threw up...way off... changed eye doctors and got new script.  But this morning- perfection.  So...like a Time Warp- the BAD prescription is now totally (almost) great. My eyes have really taken a turn.  Keyboard looks fantastic.

I woke up that first morning to absolute WHITE outside....then it rained a bit.  Then the WORST thing that could happen - happened....WIND......across the street neighbor watched a tall fat pine tree just fall over- away from her house thank goodness....but it's down and the root ball is out of the ground...and it's not the only one.  My Tree Guy is now coming to see what he can do.....for her.  House goes up for sale in a few weeks....awful timing.

Our Plow Guy plowed our street....not his job and the Town Plow never showed up... and it's Saturday.  Mail is being delivered....Newspapers have arrived.......Town has power.... all the fast food places have power, daughter in Town has power......not my street. And most horribly- our street in not on the list..... which is very very worrying.

So ......we are fine...a bit chilled.  Son has his laptop going and ear buds..possibly watching a movie. He feels like the tv will work- I have recorded things I can watch.......I have a good book going ..Expiration Date by Rebecca Serle.  I enjoyed her Italian Summer and In Five Years..... Enchanted  August was very good as well.    so, reading, staying warm. WAITING.  

But I am fine.....Son is fine.....no trees have landed on the house....or us.  And I have Chinese leftovers for supper.....sigh.

Winter Spring Notes- Wednesday, April 3rd. Noreaster coming in with Wind, Snow ETC.

 Postcard from Provence.

Theres's no Sun today. 39 degrees. (50 yesterday)   Wind hasn't started as yet along with promised (????) snow and whatever.  It's April........ I watched the weather channel and Kentucky and that area- was no picnic for them yesterday........  and now we get to enjoy it.   Very still outside.  

I am so very very tired of it all.  And I am chilled to the bone today....fatigue?  I don't know. I just realized I hadn't turned the furnace up to day time temps.  No wonder I was so cold.

I should make some soup for today......something I can reheat if we have to drag the generator back out onto the driveway. But...I am tired of soup.  I am tired of this damned weather.  It was warmer last October than it is today.

Reading a book I enjoyed very much the first time I read it... Charm City Rocks.  I fell into it like finding a soft cozy sweater in the closet.  It's on my list of books to buy.  Some people stock up on food, alcohol and movies etc-- I stock up on books.  And make sure the book light to clip onto a book is charged up.

I ate a lot of stuff yesterday......sandwich, pistachios, ice cream, potato chips.  Anxiety Eating. I think perhaps I am over it..it happens every so often....hard to control.  I think the weather coming was the cause of it....I know son is very very upset by the fragile power infrastructure in Maine.  The old trees cracking and falling on the power lines.  All these trees should have been cut and chipped 20 years ago.  The lines should have gone underground.  But 20 years ago the water table was pretty close to the surface here...now it isn't.  Maine is beautiful in August.   The rest of the year it sucks.  It is sucking pretty much right now...even for me..after 30 plus years.

Spring Becomes Winter Notes- Tuesday, April 2nd. Sunshine and 45 degrees.

 Postcard from Provence.

I am still having an orange for my Fruit of the Day here......usually mid afternoon.  Getting my dose of vitamin C..... oatmeal was very good today....just right.....my coffee got bit cold as I read the newspaper... but was fine for taking my Morning Pills... all vitamins....

A Nor-ester is supposed to come in tomorrow with WIND and SNOW.   Biggest April Fool's Ever!!! Apple Weather says it's the TRUTH.  

The Garbage Men came and went....I missed it.  Son has bundled up to go get the recycling wheeled thing and whatever else he dragged out there.... we finally had enough recycling to send out the big container. And I even had enough garbage for the small "pay as you throw" bag.  Even this was entertaining....my Life is THAT boring.......which I am okay with as I had enough going on in the last few years....I am enjoying boring.  Very very much.  Son is now enjoying his Morning Shower.  

My hair....very white...and finally it has reached the "weight" it needed to not frighten people.  It has even agreed to curl under at the ends and look "sort of" combed.  I can't say "styled" because that isn't anything my hair is doing.  Semi-controlled is what I am aiming for.  In ALL things. Not FULLY stabilized. Yet.

Yesterday's book was a delight...Just My Type by Ballard.

"sit quietly and listen"

Less Winter and More Spring Notes- Sunshine and 48 degrees.

 Postcard from Provence.

We might have had this one already but I like the blue stripe with the orange of the tangerines. I wish my dishtowels looked like these French ones....but then I would be upset if they got dirty. I don't recall seeing these in any shop....if I had- I would have bought them...a dozen of them.

The Sun is shining.....I had asked son about my "new" habit of going to bed at 9:30 at night and waking up at 9:30 in the morning.  No dreams...just sleep.  He is concerned about depression...a lack of interest.  I can't say that is what it is.....I feel it's more the pleasantness of sleep without worrying about husband getting up and falling etc.   About the constant "alert" of the caregiver role.  But the last few months I was concerned he would leave the house- drive the car alone etc...more worried he would injure someone else. He didn't have a clue where he was....always lost.  

Breaks my heart to think of the terror that might have created in him...being lost with no idea where home was. Even when you were home.

Yesterday we had pizza minus the football.  It was delicious as always.  Son had remembered to buy hot sauce to put on his slices.  Today I have to remind myself to make hotdogs for my mid day meal.

I have given up the search for that fabric.  In the search process I found many more items of interest.  Not the interest I had but new ones....so....I also have been finding and sorting husband's pens and colored pencils. From the "good times" when he spent hours coloring...he really enjoyed the process.  But in the end he told me he had forgotten "how" to color.  Isn't that heartbreaking?  He just sat at the table doing nothing because he didn't know how to color.  So....enough of that.

I haven't forgotten how to color and I need to remove the March desk calendar- very colorful with images and drawing etc...and start in on a new fresh calendar page...April.  Fools Day no less.  Sigh.  Spring has arrived in Maine... won't be long before the trees start to flower.....

Winter Spring Notes- Easter Sunday- March 31st. Sunshine and 43 degrees.

 Postcard from Provence

Happy Easter Sunday.

We have nothing scheduled here for the Holiday.  I wasn't reminded that we might want a Baked Ham.  so..we'll just have the usual.  Which is whatever we feel like making.....I still have beets in the fridge to eat.  I finished off the baked sweet potatoes yesterday... We might actually be having PIZZA.

We both LOVE Pizza. On Sunday.  Even without Open Wheel Racing.

The Sun is shining and 43 degrees is hardly WARM.  But it's the Sun so...I am happy.  I still need to wear socks everyday....so not that warm.   I haven't eaten breakfast as yet so this post will be short....I need to get my oatmeal into the microwave......but not till I hit publish. (causes the screen to flicker)

I spent considerable time yesterday looking for a certain piece of cloth...white with big blue dots.  But No.

It must have come in a package of squares- and that was the only one of it's kind.   Now I have to reorganize my thoughts about what I was going to do.....I do not appreciate when that happens.  I had a PLAN and now whatever I do with NOT be the PLAN so will aggravate me no end.

"get out of your "box", whatever your "box" might be."

Winter Spring continues into Saturday, March 30. Another big branch has fallen- not close to the house.

 Another Postcard from Provence. 

Also reminding me of Germany.

So...windy yesterday with rain and branches coming down.  The Soil here is sandy.  So not the most secure foothold for tree roots when they become top heavy..

I had a plan yesterday for some hand sewing- but one of the fabrics used in what would be the center....could not be found- even with diligent searches.  It's in a 3 inch 9 patch square.  Hardly noticed by anyone but me...and it would be the center of the larger square I am making......

All of the California Purples are accounted for....now shelved so they are always ready to go.  The tiny closet I am using.....is packed...I actually thought I would sew yesterday instead of watching tv but during commercials I was getting up to search.  Then I gave up both endeavors and read my book.

I also made a "deluxe" grilled cheese sandwich- using up the last two slices of very dry bread and three slices of American cheese and butter....it was delicious.  No pickles. No chips.  I had both but- the sandwich was enough by itself.  

I also bought a package (packet) of Biscoff "biscuits" with Belgian Chocolate.  Son says they are something you get when you travel by airplane.....the cookies are tiny and there are three in each miniature pack.   In America they are just tiny "cookies".  Brits call them biscuits.

Email from the Banker- our taxes are done. I got a small refund which was applied to next year's return. and that's about all that is happening...

I decided I like Missing Without a Trace best of all....second is CST-NY.  I do not like CSI- Miami. I don't stay awake long enough to watch the final three hours of Law and Order- Criminal Intent.  Even  though it is my all time favorite show.  I am ready for bed by 9 pm most days...I fall asleep right away and wake up around 9 am.  And, I have never been a good sleeper...so this is very "new" but okay...I don't dream which is also new....but usually if I dreamed it was not a happy event.  

Remember that dream of me being on a bus in the dark and having no idea where the bus was going and afraid to get off??? I think I wrote about it once years ago...I had that dream so often I was afraid to fall asleep.  I know it was brought on by something in my Life but I never knew what.  

Winter/Spring Notes- 41 degrees and 89% humidity. Drizzle.

 Postcard from Provence.

Reminds me of my house in Fischbach Germany.  Looking out over green fields.  Frankfurt in the distance. But this is Provence.

Grocery Shopping in the rain....  I got extra ice cream.....son was shocked that I had eaten half of last week's purchase.  I guess .....I got lactate free bars....one box of chocolate ones.  

The lactate free yogurt is in limited flavors.....I can only get strawberry rhubarb, raspberry and honey. I do not care for blueberry, lemon or peach.  If the peach was in chunks perhaps but not pureed peaches. they never have cherry.  In season I add pitted sweet cherries to the vanilla bean.

I got string cheese...we'll see.

We got the PERFECT GROCERY PACKER.  Today.  Son was very impressed and so was I when I unpacked the bags.   Very Jenga.

My book for yesterday and today is the Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest.  Characters are black. And for some reason the author has to hammer this point relentlessly.  I am "color blind" when it comes to race.  I was integrated from K thru five.  I see people. I don't see color.  I am annoyed and might not finish reading the book.  My son would tell me that not everyone is like me...and perhaps they need educating thru literature.  Okay.

I have to turn on the house lights....I sorted some blue fabric...squares...was thinking of hand stitching while watching Missing Without a Trace and CSI NY.  There's no Law and Order. But...it's all the same blue so needs "something" to contrast....I am not eager to dig around in the sewing room two afternoons in a row.   

Well, I selected books by their covers today....."never judge a book by it's cover"..........I'll let you know how it goes.  Hope it's not raining where you are today.

Winter Spring Notes- Thursday March 28 and still snow on the ground- Rain. 44 degrees and 99% humidity.

 You all must know by now that the solar system is very interesting to me.  An Eclipse...we are supposed to be able to enjoy the experience here in Maine when it happens- but I think there will be clouds....it's very cloudy right now and wet outside.

My Tree Guy will be back to take down...well, if I had MY way...ALL the trees.  I don't have many here that are worth anything in value or looks.....just crappy trees. But he's taking DOWN QUITE a FEW.

So that's off the list....I took down everything but the calendar that is across from the dining room table... not that it helps me remember anything......I usually use the daily paper when I need to write checks and get the date correct.  Even my daily morning pills....I check the date on the paper to see if I remembered to take them...mostly vitamins.  The walls are now blank.

I had Extra Crunchy Cheetos.  the puffy ones...I love them.  Now the bag is empty...that was yesterday. Just updating you all on my snacks.  I finally remembered why I had low fat string cheese on the grocery list..... to have for snack with celery or carrots......I had Cheetos. Instead.  Wonder why??????

Carol next door will be happy the very very tall fat pine will be taken down.  Mainly because if it fell on her propane tanks- too very large ones right under the tree limbs....the explosion would be massive. I am not interested in causing a massive propane explosion...and... my bedroom is right there....being blown up.

On that cheerful note- I am going to reheat my coffee and settle into the couch cushions on this VERY DARK DISMAL DAY..... oh, I had a very very long and detailed chat on the phone with my insurance agent.....trees have to hit the house in order for the insurance to pay for removal.....and then she told me all about her dad in Wisconsin....everything about that situation.....and because it wasn't insurance business she was whispering the info into the phone....My Life...is so damned weird.

Winter/Spring Notes- Wednesday, March 27th. 44 degrees-95% humidity.

 Postcard from Provence.

I took down all the paper and scribbles pinned to the dining room walls....I swept the floor....I ran most of what I took down thru the paper shredder......the walls look filthy.   Everything looks dirty and unkept.  YEARS of not doing what needed to be done....YEARS.  Of my LIFE..and not getting any of it back.

So, this post will be short and bitter.

I called my Tree Guy.  He is somewhere nearby so will drive over to give things a look.  See if any of it is dangerous to be left for a few weeks.....I don't see any dangerous-ness.  Other people have more need for his work than I do...right now.

Yes, I have a Tree Guy.  The very first time he stopped by...to see what trees I wanted taken down- wow... he looked like a guy straight out of a romance novel. His eyes!  Not any more.  Not any more.

So...I took paper- pictures etc --off the walls....I dusted the walls... scrubbed the sink twice....I swept the floors --twice...and now I am sitting down......the Trust People have picked up our tax info.  That's handed off and I can stop having it on the To Do List.

It's quiet....no generators running.  I haven't turned on the tv.  I have already read the news.  I finished the book I was reading before going to bed.....I have selected a new one as yet.....I might have passed a point in the mourning process.....I might be heading into the Future....who knows. I certainly don't have a clue.

Winter Spring Notes- Tuesday March 26th. 36 degrees...

 Yes, a picture I actually took of the crab tree by the front porch...covered in ice that first day.  And yes, we have snow.  The truck came and they pulled the branch - rather large--off the power line and then the bucket truck guy did something on the power pole and we had light just about 15 minutes ago.

That's how much I have missed all of you.....first thing to do- write to you.

My cross the street neighbor is back from a hotel....trying to get her boiler working to heat the house.  Ours is running and has been since C. flipped the switch.....  that was enough of a "camping experience" for me.....even with the generator providing hot water, heat and the microwave as well as the fridge.  In the 1990"s Ice Storm we just put all the food out in the garage and let it freeze.  Cooked on the gas grill. Froze in the house...Good times.

We have large pieces of two different trees in the side yard....we'll need some one to come work on them.. The one- was close enough that it could have ripped the power lines off the side of the house.  We really lucked out....one branch tip is buried deep in the ground....came down hard.

My hands are cold typing this... and I am missing Wheel of Fortune.... All is well.

Winter- Spring Notes- Power is Back ON!!!

I have to turn off the computer so Son can shut down the generator...  so- we are fine. We are excited mohave the power back on...last street in the neighborhood.

A branch was the power line and then the bucket truck had to do some work and then the porch lights came on.  We are very happy and I need to shut this down so Son can go shut off the generator and put us back on the grid.......wow...it's been three days....

He is counting the days until her  can get the hell out of here.

Saturday, March 23rd...It's SNOWING. 29 degrees. 86% humidity.

 Postcard from Provence.

I recognize his brush strokes.

Yes, It's snowing and its cold.  And the daffodils- they hadn't flowered as yet....are now standing in snow. a few inches....it was supposed to snow and then rain....I guess it didn't get the memo.

Not enough for the plow but, if it doesn't warm up...son will have to do some shoveling...He is not happy. the street is plowed.

Yesterday daughter came to drop off my Christmas present.  Mittens.  Since she was here, I asked if she would go up into the Open Attic and get a few stems of my "fake flower" collection for the amaryllis pots- they still have leaves (feeding the bulbs for next Winter) and some pretty little fake flowers would be "happy" on the table here across from the sink.....where I hand wash dishes.

She also brought down some cherry blossoms....long stems... she then climbed up to get one of the tall vases.  Covered in dust from  being on top of a built in cupboard (full of dishes).   I now have it on a table I can see from my Reading Watching TV Couch.  Lovely.  Arching branches...makes me smile. Tall and wide and beautiful.

Long Ago and Far Away...I used to create floral displays in vases for the Library Check Out Desk. The Spooky House was there for Halloween and the Gingerbread Dollhouse for Christmas.  All that stopped when I left the Library rather abruptly......and I sat at home for a few months and then approached the Greenhouse about part time work...I was a Master Gardener.  I had a certificate and a name tag.  I spent many happy years working at the greenhouse...Many.  There were a few times (at the end) when I felt dizzy and very very tired.....and the greenhouse is a very bad place to feel dizzy...so I retired.  And only arrived to teach classes...which I loved doing...then COVID.  Nothing has actually been the same since COVID.

I am seeing masks on people in stores these days.... one woman told me she had had COVID twice this Winter...My Lunch Buddy had it once. Combined with the Flu.  I wondered if they had kept up with their shots......yes, they said...we did have vaccinations.  So.....what can one say????

Winter Spring Notes- Friday March 22nd. Grocery shopping. Library.

 Bougie.

So, Grocery shopping...was cold and not sunny and then warm. It can't decide.  Snow and cold tomorrow.

I bought things I actually needed and some things I didn't need at all.

I bought ice cream and Son said- "would be nice if we could share that...but you eat it out of the tub."

Yes, I do.  Husband did not eat ice cream...so now..I have to change my ways. Correction. Updated.

Yesterday I had some of the vegetables from the St Patrick's Day Boiled Dinner....potato, carrots, cabbage.  Plus the broth from cooking everything.....Delicious.  did I already write this yesterday????? I now have more beets, more sweet potatoes....more cheese--and Son pointed out- I already had cheese...oh my bad.

I also watched National Geographic Channel yesterday and the new way to photograph the forest to see what's under the trees.......buildings and roads from long time ago.  Very interesting. The men and one woman crawled into a very tight space and I didn't like watching that...........they found bones and a cup. Very excited about both...them...not me.

Then some CSI Miami...ugh.  Then my daily Navel Orange. Later some ice cream.

I woke up pretty early and then just had, whatever one calls it,...waking dreams. sort of like telling oneself a story.  It took up time....which for me..is a good thing...there is too much time to fill these days.  No hair dryer.  I must have given it away.

That's all.....I got a bag full of books....some will good and some will be returned.

All these "sign up and send money things husband had running"...son says just delete.  So here in the middle of the post...I had them pop up (again) and when I deleted them...the post went somewhere as well.  It's back and I am signing out.

Winter/spring Notes- Thursday, March 21st- SNOW and 28 degrees outside.

 I don't know where this image came from but....here it is.  All messed up...like me.

I woke up to the alarm clock....at 9 am...and I actually thought it was closer to noon.  My inner clock is all out of wack.   Really.

I haven't had breakfast yet...or coffee..so I can't really know what I will be typing here....also- there is snow on the ground.....I had been considering raking leaves.  Not today.

My hair is bothering me- I haven't had a haircut since.....well, the nightmare drive with husband to the salon.....where I cancelled all future visits. He hadn't a clue where he was going....it was very very scary.

My hair is wild, white and out of control.  Its not long enough for a rubber band- I have tried...and it's stubborn enough that bobby pins don't have a chance to contain it.  Though I try.  Gathering what I can and turning it into a small knot and adding every bobby pin I can find....it starts escaping right away.

I looked yesterday--- I used to have a blow dryer....but......no.  So. I look like a 77 year old Mad Woman.

I remembered to eat my navel orange mid afternoon.  I did NOT have any squares of dark chocolate.... I am trying NOT to do that EVERY afternoon.  I don't think I ate supper....I did have lunch.....I don't remember what it was....possibly bread and cheese....I could have had cold pizza....perhaps today.

I should have had some of the Corned Beef vegetables....Today....I will have that today.

Husband's high school prom date sent me an email yesterday........you just can't make this stuff up......

Spring Notes- Wednesday March 20th. 45 degrees and cloudy.

 This looks like a cake we used to make when I was in my teens...  The square pan.  It's in the NYT feed that keeps wanting me to subscribe to on line news.  I like newspaper news on my table while I eat my oatmeal.  A real live paper newspaper.  (even though today's sudoko was impossible)

I have to go back and see if this is the vinegar cake....I have a small recipe card for that. I could just use the frosting recipe of this cake on that recipe card cake.....I think it's egg free.

Son has gone to have his car inspected and the oil changed.  At the dealership owned by our next door neighbor.  Well, they own several, including Land Rover and Volvo.  We don't own either of those cars.

We did have a Land Rover.... I actually drove that some of the hours of many vacations... On highways.

It blows my mind that I did that....literally.

Yesterday and today's book is the Burn Out...Sophie Kinsella.   British.  Two burnouts are staying at a falling down resort on the ocean..... She is supposed to be on a "fake" detox regimen and he is sending texts of apology to all the people he yelled at before being sent away from work and drinking Scotch on the beach.  I've read it before...I'm in a different emotional place this reading..... so it has an added layer to it in the reading... of not knowing what to do with........situations you had not planned on. 

I read until Missing Without a Trace comes on CHARGE- 1169 on my cable line up.  Then CSI-NY. the old ones with references to 9-11.  So, I have one load of wash in the dryer and one in the washer and I turned the mattress on my bed........getting back to a more normal existence.

Are you being honest?  About your feelings?

Spring Notes- Busy Day visiting with an good friend........she picked me up.

 I'm FINE!!!

I had a chance to visit with an old friend today...she came to get me a 10:30 and I just now returned home. We had so much to say.....

I completely FORGOT to post.  Because I was dressed and ready to go..........

So, yes we started talking at 10:30 and I just got home at 6 pm.   We are both in the caretaker position- Her sister is now in assisted living but might not like it.....we'll see.  We compared doctor visits....

We had corned Beef and Cabbage yesterday and it was delicious....I just now had two baked sweet potatoes with butter and spices of Swiss cheese all melted together....very good.

The Cardinal was here today before I got picked up.... 

Sigh..we talked about so much.  She is care giver for her sister...so some parts of the past months have had the same stresses.   It was good for both of us to talk about things......we had planned to go out to lunch but we forgot.   It felt good not to be the only one forgetting.

Spring Notes- Monday, March 18th. St Patrick's Day. 44 degrees and cloudy.

 My daffodils look a bit like this- with leaves scattered around.  Mine don't have color yet.  These plants are tulips....I don't have any of those- they don't like my yard.  Tulips. Or...more likely the deer ate them leaves, flowers and bulbs.....and I gave up on tulips.

We are getting our corned beef up to simmer.........well, two people doing stuff makes it all twice as interesting.   Looks great so far.

I will keep an eye out for the simmer getting room "much".

I had to thread the sewing machine this morning to make a second tuck in the waistband of the pants I pulled from the closet.....to wear today.   Son is doing laundry so I have to wait until he is done to do my own.....

I worked on husband's alarm clock...got it to the new Spring Time...hopefully the tinkering won't mean the alarm goes off at some unspecified time.  Always fun around here.  I'm working on adjusting the "simmer" speed.  With gas it's easier with electric it calls for multiple adjustments.

When I sign off, I am going to peel carrots and wash potatoes....which will be added to the broth with wedges of cabbage when the meat has finished cooking.  I haven't had Corned Beef and Cabbage in YEARS.  I used  to make it when the kids were home....and a few times for the two of us...but after awhile my husband refused to eat less and less "home cooking".  Unless it was chicken soup or pasta.

It takes courage to grow up and be who you really are.  EE Cummings.

Spring Notes- 47 degrees with 99% humidity. It rained. the sun arrives and then gone.

My picture file needs a clean out.  Today in the watery Spring  "Clouds/Sun/Clouds" thing going on-I am not really sure....the back garden bed daffodils are showing just a tiny bit of yellow.  Perhaps  a day or two more. One of the Christmas Amaryllis still has two red flowers. The second one no flowers but great looking leaves. The flowers do not last very long....after those last two flowers pass on, I will need to feed the plant to grow the bulb for next Winter.   Then take it out of the pot to rest.....

We are having Sunday Pizza...the usual....and tomorrow we'll do Corned Beef. No Open Wheel Racing. I have a book to read and sorted puzzle pieces- looking for the straight edges borders.  All white.  Sigh.

I've managed to get several sets of four and five pieces....none of them connect to anything else.

I finished the Sea Captain book... I don't know what to read next.....not really excited about anything in the book pile.  sigh. Perhaps it's time for the Accidental Beauty Queen re-read.  A delicious rom com from the bookcase.  There is good stuff in the bookcase.

I want to ask son to drive me across the bridge to the next Town- the bookstore and Reny's for candy (lemon drops) and perhaps if I am "LUCKY" garden clogs....you just never know with Reny's.  All of my garden shoes have lost the no slip bottoms...dangerous for old women.  Like Me.

I am tempted to eat dessert before dinner....... 

"are you being honest with yourself?"

Spring Notes- Being optimistic. Saturday, March 16th. 48 degrees and sunshine.

 Starting to get ready for Spring.

Son found and we got rid of all the food in the fridge that had spots.....I have rice to eat today- he checked- no spots...I had the last of the roasted beets yesterday- so good-no spots.  And supposedly good for one's heart.  Commercials about beet chewables on every channel.  Why not real beets?

Long discussion on what day to make the Corned Beef.  We may still change our minds.

I have a Friend Date on the 19th. Getting picked up and returned home... We met long ago, at the Greenhouse I think....got along...then COVID entered the picture and well, nothing has actually been the same since.  Except for my Lunch Buddy Lunches.  I don't have coffee dates with another Library Co-Worker anymore...perhaps we should try and do that again.....we email.

After all these years, the Quilting Group, the Master Gardening Stuff......you would think I would have FRIENDS.......sigh.  You would think that.  I have more contact with all of you out there in Email/Spring Notes Land than I have with real in person people.

I am reading the first book in  the series I liked and enjoyed so much.  It Happened One Summer. Sea Captains. I am just a few pages into it...the two sisters from California Movie Star Land have just arrived in a fishing village and are living in an old bar building.  Mice in the walls and one sister set fire to something so far.  They have a LONG way to go.   Tessa Bailey.  I am trying to read all her books.

I had a difficult morning so far....but I seem to be over it.....the morning paper usually straightens out any emotion kinks.  And I persevere.  I work thru it.

The Privilege of a Lifetime is to become who you truly are.   Carl Jung.

Spring Notes- Friday March 15th. 40 degrees with 94% humidity. Grocery Day.

 Ideas for my planter boxes this year....the Hosta with yellow borders... I think some is growing in the bed under the weeping crab (out front where I haven't raked leaves as yet).  I can have it in the planter box and then add to the bed under the tree. 

Grocery shopping... I asked a man-- who looked like he knew his way around corned beef (looked like he cooked)-- about what to select for just two people.  And we got a flat cut..... which he said "you'll be eating for a few days"..... I went and got a few more potatoes.   We had already gotten a cabbage and carrots.  Needed to cover the "few days" with extra vegetables for me.

I also got to scrub the vegetable drawer on the left side of the fridge.......things had gone sideways...and squishy.  The sink drain needed work as well and I gagged a bit..... but it's tidy now.

I bought 6 eggs in case we needed to bake another cake.....or some cookies. The things husband liked are "too sugary" for C.  So I have to dig into the recipe box for new ideas.

The Gone Without a Trace series I am watching every afternoon-  getting old....last one was so boring. I never was a big fan of CSI-NY but it's still okay to watch...the Miami one with that carrot headed guy- nope.  By 8 pm I am toast so the fact that Criminal Intent is on then......bummer.   I may record them to watch from noon to 3pm..

Still NOT watching News.  I read what happened in the morning paper and that is "enough".

I got six new books at the Library.  Well, new to me.  I'm reading a two book series about Sea Captains. Manly Men. Tessa Bailey. She wrote some of the other books I have enjoyed this winter.  I also got another Jo Baker book for serious reading.

Oh, and we stopped at the Town Office to pay the semi annual Property Tax Bill.  Men were there buying tags for their boats....C had been there recently to get his car tag.  

Oh and C FINALLY found the spot on the dashboard screen to actually shut off the driver's seat heater. On the Jeep.... Husband had it on a very hot setting as he was always COLD.  So that box got checked off. I refused to have the heater on my seat.....REFUSED.....

No more grumbling.

Be yourself...not the idea of who you think you should be.  H D Thoreau.

Winter/Spring Notes- Thursday, March 14th. 43 degrees cloudy Sunshine.

 KZ Stevens.  In my morning mailbox. An online class. 

I slept.  Waking dream of our visit to Russia- brought on by sorting photos before going to bed.  It was different.  I was not well- in quite a bit of physical pain.....so I don't recall it very clearly.....but the underground train stations had beautiful art.  The fish for supper was full of thin bones.  The circus we went to smelled of body odor.  Intense body odor. I watched a soccer game from my hotel window.

And then an upsetting movie style dream of a murder in the grocery store parking lot- where I shop every Monday....now, I might be watching too much Without a Trace and CSI New York.  Way too much. So I switched last night to watching something worse- ....the melting Arctic Ice which holds methane gas and is NOW melting and letting it escape into the atmosphere. The Space Station is taking infrared photos.

I am reading an early version of Tessa Bailey's books.  Hook, Line and Sinker.  Interesting.  To see what an author keeps and what they let go.  This book is number two, I think, and I need to find number one... if any Library bought the first book.. It Happened One Summer.

I had the last piece of the Boozie Bundt Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream... last night.  My meal planning and eating is not great....I don't think a flour tortilla and cheese is a "meal".  I need to do much better.

Being Authentic is a complicated process.  Seek Therapy.

Spring Notes- 46 degrees with Sunshine- Sorting papers for the Tax Man. Paying Property Taxes.

 Crashing Waves- Postcards from Provence I think. Brush stokes seem similar.

Sunshine.  Opened a window last night....fresh air. 

Dug around in the garage yesterday after abandoning tv...... and found a really good rake.....worked on the garden bed up against the south side of the house.....the daffodils I planted years ago are coming up and the pile of dead leaves was covering them....so I raked...cut back a few things....got contact dermatitis on my hands.

Everything looks great from inside the house....next time I feel like it...the bed in the island just a few feet away.   Raking before things start to poke up thru the leaves. Peonies. Not the ones that caught on fire in the Garden Tractor Fire.  

Only two red flowers left on my amaryllis from Christmas.   Then two pots of just leaves.....hopefully feeding the bulb for next year.  The Poinsettia from 2022 has red "flower" leaves on it.  Odd but certainly entertaining.  I think the plants are "forced" in greenhouse to turn red sooner- more so for Christmas. It's interesting and if husband was still here and coherent- the botanist would tell me how and why it happens.

I had to look it up. Myself.....and that's what I will be doing until I forget how to look things up.

I was going to find the calendar page with the dementia time line...but then..why? Hospice called the other day to check in with me to see how I was doing, if I needed support etc.  When you are released from Hell on Earth, everything else fails to be much trouble at all.  Not any trouble,.....and I am sleeping.

Daughter and her employer came and hooked up husband's trailer....took it...for when they have a smaller hauling job and don't need the large trailer.....one more thing off our "to do" list.  Get rid of trailer.

Just in Time.....getting bored with Missing Persons, and CSI NY.   Will need to find a new activity to hold my interest....Reading is also slowing down......I am getting "picky".  It happens.  I start a book and then say- why am I reading this badly written book????  I ordered two more of  Jo Baker's books.  They are coming from far away libraries....perhaps in a week or two.  I am working my way thru two TEEN books. So far.....okay.

Well, that's me for today.....the button fell off the pants I was wearing--and guess what-- I can't find it. fell off right in front of me-- and can't find it.....geez.  I now have other pants on.  And a pile more to choose from if button falls off these....my size these days matches well with the buying of arm loads of 25 cents each pants at the LLBEAN employee bargain store.  This pair has a working waist band button..

Later today- I am going to go searching for buttons...loose buttons...I know they are here...somewhere. And sew a fresh button on those pants.....I liked them.  I like the ones I have one as well.  All's Well.