Winter Notes- January 31st. Cold, Cloudy with a chance of being warmer than 28 degrees

 Postcards from Provence

This one has the dark background.  But the citrus is glowing.

I am sitting here wondering what to write about yesterday.....I finished a book.  Wreck The Halls and am going to try and find more books by that author. Tessa Bailey.  My book pile has only three books and it's Wednesday.  Monday is far far away......good thing I have a bookcase full of books.

I am still coughing- usually AFTER the Musinex kicks in- about 2 to 3 hours after I take it.  It's an annoying cough...but the mess in my lungs does get loose and well, that's what the pill is for. No fever. I checked all the logical (scary) diseases and this isn't one of them.  No fever, no runny nose, no headache, no nothing.  Just a cough that occasionally annoys me and then...stops.  Only to annoy me again a few hours later. Then stop.  I slept all night- not EVEN one tiny cough.  But my breakfast got it going.

I am checking what I cough up.........gosh, this is the most hideous post I have ever written.........and it's clear, see thru stuff.   Now that's enough info. Yuck.  Are you happy? (my kids read this)

Today's book is The Burnout.  Sophie Kinsella. I often start her books and then...get confused by the British Stuff and give up....but if I stick with them- it's always a good read.

I am having hot dogs for lunch today... I had the Pantry Soup yesterday with tiny cheese filled pasta.  I also remember having the Butt of a loaf of bread with a massive amount of butter along with a massive cup of very sweet hot tea.  Very very nice.  Comforting.

The driveway and sidewalks remain clear of snow- the steps look icy.  The California Boy is so very unhappy.  But..nothing I can do about that.....perhaps he'll take a ride into Town and stop for a restaurant meal.  Or not.

Winter Notes- For Tuesday, January 30th. Sunshine today. 20 degrees.

 Another Lemon from Postcards from Provence.

The Mucinex is working. Loosening the chest congestion and making me cough.  The junk loosens up and out. The hours after I take the morning pill are the worst- lots of cough and spit.  But I feel good.  No fever.

I am enjoying the book I am reading... Wreck the Halls.  I had thought it would be a Holiday book but, while it does have a deadline of Christmas Eve...it is NOT a holiday book. So NOT.  But it also has an added attraction of Live Streaming.....live mikes and cameras....reality tv... and the what could go wrong aspect.....of live tv. or live streaming (which I haven't a clue about).

I made pasta to go with the SOUP today.  Sigh.  I mean who gets so excited about boiling water and adding pasta to it....and thinking they actually DID SOMETHING.  Who?  Me.

Today..I have nothing to do but read....nothing to sort... I wrote a check for the one bill I have- for heating oil.....and that takes care of book keeping for the day.  I worked on the desk calendar a day or so ago- filled it up with  some pictures and a lot of writing... words.  thoughts.  stuff.

Well, I am going to go sit on the cough and try and finish my book- see what happens...I don't think it will be what I expect to happen.   Have a nice day today, Dear Readers.....

Winter Notes- Monday, January 29th. 33 degrees and 86% humidity. SNOW.

 Postcards from Provence

I found more images and  these new ones have lighter backgrounds.  I like how the peach of the surface reflects into the underside of the lemon.

Well, neither of the football games went the way we thought, did they?  In the Lions game they seemed to have lost focus and in the second game...one poor decision and.....they'll be thinking about that for the rest of the winter.   Lions and Ravens....oh, my.

We had Football Pizza and decided to put the pepperoni on top of the cheese instead of under... and I guess this is how it's done ...by everyone but me????? I will be switching to pepperoni on top.... wonder-filled.

Snow- the wet heavy stuff came down overnight.  Son cranked up the snowblower and got things cleaned up while I was still sleeping. The "culture shock" of California to Maine is something.....I admire him so MUCH for the generator, the power outages and now the ice on the steps and the wet snow- every week.  There was no way I could do any of this on my own.  There is no way I can live here alone....... and I love this house.

But to be honest--I have loved ALL my houses.  All six of them.  And I have been sad to leave them when we moved.  So.....I won't like it but I know I will be moving...eventually.

I've gone three full days without reading a book.  I've done the morning paper sudoko puzzles.  This morning I got two maybe three numbers...... I slept all night without a cough fit....and my chest feels clear right now.  I might actually be able to get thru the day without coughing and wetting my pants. TMI.

I've been thinking about making a  dessert but then I think...why?  Lots of my thinking ends up in why? Well, that's it for today... the snow in the trees looks very black and white like a Ansel Adams photo. I wish I could take a picture and transfer it here...but the old iPhone can't do that anymore....it actually can't do much of anything anymore.  Sort of like me.

Winter Notes- Sunday, January 28th. 36 degrees, 90% humidity and Cloudy.

 Not sure what we should be anticipating here in WEATHER.   Dismal is what I see out the windows.

I had a rough night.  Lots of coughing...unproductive coughing.  So, I am tired at the start of today. I have books to read and football to watch and football pizza to make and enjoy eating.....it will be a good day.

I need to turn on the living room lamps.

Son had a great deal of snow shoveling to do yesterday....second day in a row of doing that...I think he regrets moving here.....I know I did regret moving here for the first 10 years we lived here....and then again when husband worked for "the" hardware employer and was "on the road" and it snowed here in Maine. And it was just me shoveling this long driveway.So I know just how depressing it all is.

Yesterday's Hallmark movie had a very muscular guy in the lead roll.  I think a member of the Canadian Circus which is pretty famous... I can't do the French Spelling.  I was intrigued because it wasn't the "usual"......hockey winter movie.

The Store Pharmacy had a Korean Inhaler with a co-pay of $350...I said no.  The regular one I always get has a copay of $40.  I guess I won't be able to breathe when the one I have runs out. I am calling on Monday but I don't see this new doctor changing the script.  I am going to have to find another new doctor that isn't part of this Corporation called Maine Health..  PBS Newshour had a program on this sort of corporate takeover of doctor's offices.  Running the doctor's office like a business...nothing personal.  On Monday I will call the doctor's office and then my Secondary Medicare Provider... I don't even have the slightest hope they can do anything for me.  I would like to be able to breathe.

Winter Notes- Saturday, January 27th. Son is out shoveling the driveway.

 

Finally....I had the picture in the center and then the text wanted to be in the center (also) and it took awhile here...to get things organized again.  Son tells me the computer is old and is subject to having computer dementia. Over night it forgets how to do things.  I need a new desktop...he wants me to get a laptop so I can sit on the couch MORE?????

So do I.  Want to sit on the couch more...NO.

I haven't had breakfast as yet.....I have so many thoughts rumbling inside my head this morning.  I have to limit them somehow.....my cough....the snow....my memory.....the number of Kleenex boxes all around the house which Son pointed out to me....when I added Kleenex to the grocery list.

In my favor- the boxes were in rooms I don't frequent. And rooms where I don't need Kleenex. 

I do have a nice cotton hankie in my pocket at all times....from the directions of the very very stern teachers at Charles Dickens Elementary School in Cleveland.   I kid you not.  We were checked every morning and had to show our clean hands and fingernails and the clean cotton hankie.  There was even a wooden ruler that the Teacher smacked into our knuckles if we disobeyed.   No wonder I am the way I am......the brick school was also painted BLACK and had a tall black fence all the way around it.  I Googled and found the school and it looked just like I remembered....Charles Dickens...... and remembered all of this because of Kleenex boxes on the grocery list.

So, today....grocery store,  and I will attempt to get my prescriptions. If the Grocery Pharmacy is open. and  even if the line is 12 people long....sigh.  My Son can get the groceries off the list on his own, I guess.

I have books to drop off at the Library and a few to pick up....I am still trying to read The Art of Crash Landing but yesterday got side tracked by Guy Ferriari and Vegan Restaurants on the Food Channel.  I recorded one of them for daughter  because they were making some pretty interesting Vegan things in the Vitamix.  Vegan French Toast was one.

The Pantry Soup- I made-- gloriously delicious.  I had a small bowl while watching Law and Order on WE.  The really old ones so they must be starting from the beginning...always a good sign.

Winter Notes- Friday, January 26th- Unexpected snowfall....no grocery shopping.

 Art by Stephanie Maclean.

Took me over an hour to get to this page so I could post....not sure what's happening at Blogger but I was getting really worried... I could read all of YOUR blog posts and my own but couldn't open a new page here.....finally...so a snow covered Maine on January 26th.  Not as colorful as this image.

I started the day with a hot shower and a smaller bowl of oatmeal....son says the serving I had been eating was MASSIVE.   I have also set a pot on the stove to simmer- Pantry Soup. From the first week of the Pandemic Shut Down.  I did the recipe to the letter...no additions no changes....I was really messing a good soup up......

If you recall one of the past renditions of this soup recipe was carried to the compost pile.  It was so salty.  I had some of everything that went into the soup- why it's called Pantry Soup. Usually I don't have cabbage....but you all know there was one in the crisper drawer..... much discussed by my Son.

Son just asked if I added some of the vegetables in the BIG BAG IN THE FREEZER.  Oh.  I went and looked.  Yes, indeed there IS a big bag of assorted vegetables in the freezer.... I can always add some later if we need them.  I was thinking, when I bought the BIG BAG OF VEGETABLES,---that they would be a nice addition to Future Soup this Winter.  Like the New York Times recipe I had been making. Had Been.

Daughter and Son cleared all the snow and ice yesterday and we woke to see so much MORE snow....Daughter was not happy....she has to shovel her driveway AGAIN.  After shoveling ours yesterday. The Town Plow has deposited a quantity of snow at the bottom of the driveway.  We are waiting to see if it changes to rain.....before going out to shovel.

I know Son is worried about Sunday Football Pizza.... daughter spoke of Nachos yesterday....now I am thinking about them.  But we have no chips.  Or cheese.  sigh.  Shopping Tomorrow... Soup Today.

Winter Notes- Thursday, January 25th. Woke up to Ice Covered Everything. Now SUNSHINE!!

 Put an egg on it....almost every recipe- well, not all of them...suggests a loose yolk egg on top of anything they cook.  I am a big fan of a loose yolk egg.  But do I cook and top food with one...Hardly EVER. I would order one though if eating restaurant food.  But...I am still not doing that. I do have a fantasy about making pancakes and topping one with a runny egg.........

My cough has become productive.... but not often...that also means the tightness in my chest no longer bothers me- cause it's gone.   I feel pretty darn okay.  I did not look up RSV.. I went and sat on the couch and read a good book instead..

My hip bones are giving me some trouble when I get up and walk after sitting awhile.... My hip bones have always been a problem.  Getting old is such a pain.......

I had my oatmeal and daily pills- two are vitamins- one is a statin. 10mg. Smallest dose available- though I could be asked to cut it in half.  So tiny.  One Women's' vitamin and one for Eyes.

My Life is so boring.  I did a drawing of the getting very old Pomegranite and it got dark and over worked when I realized the pencils I used were watercolor ones so I got a brush and water......and just NO!!!!

I might have to try again and not add water.  With ART-well, with any creative process- knowing when to STOP is the way to success....... I drove past the STOP sign.

My coffee has gone cold, the sun us shining, ice is melting and squirrels are eating the bird seeds on the porch......Squirrels are rodents.....not a fan.

Winter Notes- Wednesday. January 24th...Light dry snow falling....23 degrees

 Another dog.

Yes, it's snowing....but it's Maine and it's January.  Dry pellet snow beads.  

I am considering making SOUP.   I am always considering making SOUP.  I do have a can of Split Pea soup and that might actually do the trick with the addition of some potato and carrot.  I like a chunky soup.

The cough medicine seems to work- if I take it right on the 4 hour mark...wait an hour longer and I start coughing again...... It's a rough dry unproductive cough.  Annoying more than anything.  I had to get up in the middle of the night to take some.....then I slept.

I also have cough drops to keep me lubricated.  I might have to look up RSV.

I have made a Book Reading Decision.  February will be Read My Favorite BOOKS Month.  I own most of my favorites....so they are right here in the bookcase.  And I haven't actually read most of them in a long time.......because for me...the hunt for them is sometimes the best part of the books..once I've read them once.

I am also thinking March--I will read authors who write "Austin" books.  You will get a list as I go thru them.   I don't have enough for a whole month but if you all would like to suggest any- feel free.  I would be very happy to expand my reading collection with  "Pride and Prejudice" read a likes.  I have Eligible.. Which is a favorite.  I might go on line and do a search.

I am pleased to have a PLAN.  And pleased the cough suppressant is working...and not making me sleepy. No fever or anything like that..... and I have four hours before it comes back.

Winter Notes- Tuesday, January 23rd. 36 degrees and cloudy.

 I need to work on the picture file here on the desk top.  I also need to work on the desktop calendar page- paste some images down on it.  Two full weeks are blank. Absolutely blank. Cause nothing happens.

Which is actually a very very nice thing....because with husband... things were happening 24/7 and it was actually wearing my nerves to a fine point.

I am going to lunch with my Lunch Buddy today.  It's hard to say which of us is more excited about this "date". We really enjoy each other's company......and the wine.  We do enjoy the wine.

So, I eventually made it into the "office" room and looked in the closet.....plenty of cloth in there and not in containers......I also found a Chinese Cat cloth that I had been doing needle turn edges on...so I decided to bring it over to the Sitting On My Butt All Day Couch and do some sewing.......eventually.  TV, Reading And Now Sewing.   Triple the Fun.  

I am wearing my everyday for the past five years...pants....the waist has always been a problem...it's still a problem but in a new way as it is now very very loose...and it used to be very very tight. And I have no clue as to where my belt has gone.  The corduroy surface of the pants has mostly been worn away- very smooth on the backside and getting there on the front as well....wearing itself thin....I doubt Bean makes the pants anymore...and if they do they are Stretch Corduroy and are more like pajama pants...  Not a Fan.  I took two of husband's cord pants and put them on my chair.....I haven't tried them on as yet....so I  don't know how many changes I will need to make so they fit me....and sewing layers of corduroy- make my machine very very unhappy.  Which makes me say very very bad words.  And I am not in the mood for that.....one pair is black corduroy and would "go with everything" as they say.....I think I wore them the week G died.  To go out to dinner.  or...that was my own pair of black cords- they were very baggy. Then. Now...I would need suspenders to hold them up.

My RN (nurse) friend said I needed to get out of the damn house.....I did. She actually used the "f" word. And that word was appropriate also.....I did need to get out......I know it's going to take more time before I even feel normal again....... I let the package of bagels go too long- they are spotted with blue mold... I think I might also be getting moldy.

Football--- RAVENS

 I get it wrong all the Time-  Sorry

Winter Notes- Monday, January 22nd. 9:18 am. 21 degrees and cloudy.

 I am thinking about a stir fry with vegetables (carrot, cabbage, noodle and onion) with the egg- I have 6 eggs in the fridge.  I had intensions of frying eggs....with jammy yolks. On Toast. Or Pancakes.

It's cold.   I have on a good sweater but I am still cold...the boiler is trying to get the house up to 64 degrees- I keep it at 60 overnight.  It's a large house....it takes time... (and money)

I haven't made breakfast yet....I sat down here and got side tracked by reading posts and sending replies etc.  I am having oatmeal for breakfast as usual...I really did hope to be making cream of wheat cereal by this time in Winter...topping it with sugar, melted butter and cinnamon. Like my grandmother made it for me when I was a child...four or five years old.  Seventy two years ago.

Well, there is still time to make it....after I hit publish.

We did watch the Football.  I had hoped the Bills would win.  I was surprised by Detroit.  But I don't think I am the only one surprised by Detroit.  Good for them...... but please get better uniforms- they always look like they are playing in blue pajamas.  The Saints are the only team really giving the game everything they have.......I enjoyed watching THAT game.

We had our usual Football Sunday Pizza.  A hold over from Football Sundays with G.  Our son decided we should keep it in the rotation...Sunday Pizza.  So we do....and it's a good thing.  We need a few more "in the rotation" meals...I hope as time goes by..we find a few more.  In the early days of co-occupancy, there was soup....and fancy rice from the little beeping rice maker......I should ask him to make fancy rice today.  For me.  And.....I have everything for a pot of soup.....so I should make some.

Winter Notes- Sunday, January 21st. Sunday Football/Pizza Day 22 degrees and sunshine

 Sadly, I haven't gone looking to see who made the little buildings.

My eyes are dry- the house is dry.   Football Pizza today- the dough is on the counter top warming up. I somehow lined up with Son's activity level on the pizza thing.  If it's Sunday...there is pizza. He has even purchased hot dogs because he noticed me eating the ones I bought for last week's lunches....

And now he has hotdogs and I do not.....I have something else...??? Ah, toasted bagels with American Cheese baked on them and pickles.  I forgot to buy Sweet Potatoes....I hadn't noticed they had become something I looked forward to...they are on next week's list. For Sure.

I also marked all the pantry products with their use by date in large black marker......cans, boxes and bottles.  All marked.I really should have been doing this all along...then, when I stood in front of the pantry cabinet- I would be alerted to things that needed to be used- pronto. today I noticed I need to make a pot of soup or something with black beans- a bisque perhaps.  I have a recipe.  From a restaurant.

That recipe from a very annoying thread that keeps showing up- with more ads then text....for  cabbage fried rice....I probably already wrote about this recipe....annoying.

The Football yesterday....OMG....I have no words.   Especially for the San Fran game..what?.  The Saints kicked butt.... today will be more of the same..... more of the butt kicking and less of the sloppy stuff (I hope). At least the home baked Football pizza will be awesome.

I took a shower and changed clothing......the old always tight at the waistband green corduroy Bean pants- wow.  NOT. So NOT. I am just bewildered by this.....I am eating...but.... what is going on????   Does stress take up body space as well as mental space????  And I am sleeping...actual sleeping.  I go to bed and next thing it's morning. No dreams....that is bothersome as dreams are good things...problem solving things...but I must be more in need of sleep.....

Winter Notes- January 20th- A Saturday. 14 degrees here in Maine.

 Shelter.  A tiny Tin House.  I would love to have this here in my House. I'll have to hunt for the name of the Maker....It's not here on the calendar.

Yesterday Patty called and we went to Target.  7pm.  Very DARK outside.  Very cold.  And Patty had not experienced the "NEW" round about.....which is pretty damn scary in the pitch dark...It's a "new to us" round about for the under construction new grocery chain store- and I have a complete zero in my head about it's name.   According to the Twins Dad--- this grocery has EVERYTHING.

We walked around Target.  This is my second visit this year.  And it was just as trashed and messy as the first visit.  Stuff on the floor, the shelves tossed......in the grocery section some aisles stocked and others bare.  No produce. Very little frozen.  Well stocked liquor.  Well stocked chips and snacks aisles.  

The overwhelming feeling that the store was a crime scene.  

I did find a very large container of oatmeal...and I bought it. I also bought a strange, yet wonderful assortment of cheesy cracker things...stuff that will make my fingers the same color as the snacks I eat.

I got back home and watched the Ben Franklin special on PBS.  I love the sound of the narrator's voice. .  I have seen it before...but History was supposed to be my college major...but wasn't....nothing was actually my college major.....I just took classes that looked interesting.  And, I feel well educated.  Not prepared for a JOB but.....educated.

Something is showing up on my sidebar....I have to ask Son what it is.  Either something of his or something my dead husband has included in my sidebar...this week.  Well, Oatmeal is ready for me to eat. and I have the newspaper to read.......and a bill.  Good tidings To You and to all a Merry Saturday.

 

Winter Notes- Friday, January 19th. 22 degrees and Sunshine.

 Since I was doing dogs this week- you get Riley today.  

We went to the grocery store today- we are out of necessary things....He got a number of new items... I think he is making chicken tacos.... I got the baked chicken and mixed mine with mayo and honey for later and I forgot to buy Romaine Hearts..  They were OUT of Old Fashioned Oat Meal.  The large container- so I got a small one.

I might ....might...have enough for the week.  I also have a box of shredded wheat biscuit cereal.  So. No need to climb on the roof of the house and scream.

But...close. 

I also have a box of Cream of Wheat- which I like.  And really should treat myself to it in Winter.  But it's cooking.....and I actually don't do much of that....if I did I would make.....what?  No idea.

I was going to collect onion skins-  I forgot- and on the way into the house Son says- weren't you going to collect onion skins and I said yes...and he toed a bag full of onion skins....right there on the floor of the Sunporch... ready to go.  I forgot. them.

I started watching something I recorded.....TiVo....Murder in the Building.  I watched three episodes.  without commercials- 36 minutes each...which Son has told me is the average one hour show.  I have a "skip" function on recorded TiVo stuff...which is why I record a lot of programs....so I can skip the commercials.  I also record Hallmark Movies and skip.....then delete.  Right now I am enjoying the Mysteries but not all since that is a Pay for Them situation with the Mysteries..on Hallmark.

I am forgetting a lot...I think it's a Brain Repair Situation...I was having to remember so many things and now...less.  So I am in Repair Mode and as soon as that completes itself..hopefully.... I will return to whatever is normal for 77 years old.  Son says NOT watching MSNBC would help.  If Nicole is actually NOT coming back...that won't be a problem.

Winter Notes-Thursday, January 18th. 15 degrees and Sunshine.

 Another Dog.   Another Day.  Another Bill- $881 for the heating oil.   

I have this feeling today...that I missed something important....didn't do it...didn't remember it...I am just having this feeling......like the other shoe is about to drop.  I wonder what it is????

I read my book in bed..warmer...  but I still haven't finished it.  Will try again today.  

News...well, son doesn't like me watching it and now...it's so damned tedious...no one is getting anything done etc.  And the furnace running all the time is making me crazy.

My oatmeal for breakfast was good...My coffee was not.  And I am still thirsty so....what to do.

I finished the coffee.   Now, I'm back..I even remembered to take my morning pills...

I have no clue what to do today.  I did my clothes washing yesterday....all dry and folded and put away. I have a prepared bowl of Bran buds, segmented red grapefruit, and honey flavored Greek  yogurt for lunch. I made it yesterday.  Segmenting the grapefruit was delightful.  A lost art.

The Furnace/boiler is running- Son is in the shower.  That's it.  My book is Enchanted to Meet You by Meg Cabot.  I am not even halfway and it seems like....well, it has been....DAYS since I started reading it. I usually would have given up by now.....but there is a possibility that something of interest could happen.

Winter Nights--22 degrees at 10:30 - bedtime.

 The  Furnace is running almost all the time...but we have a full tank of oil (otherwise I would be in panic mode).  The Sun came out and melted snow and then 22 degrees and its all ICE now.  Son says- do not go out........ "and slip and fall and crack your skull open".  He actually says these things....I have non slip Winter shoes.  Not my first rodeo.

I did a load of my dirty clothing which never actually gets very dirty at all..  Reading and watching TV hardly gets clothing wrinkled.  let alone dirty.

I had a toasted cheese and pickle bagel.  I also had two hot dogs. with mustard and relish.  I had two cups of hot sweet tea....some dark chocolate.  I am reading a book about witches. Supposedly a RomCom.  There was a reference to Sunday Gravy- Italian Red Sauce with mixed meats......I have a recipe but it makes so much.....I stayed with an Italian Family in Harrison New York one summer....my friend's mother made sauce...gosh it was delicious.

I got sent home for being a bad influence....it wasn't me doing the influencing.... thought I did pick up a really hot guy in a bar....it was the 60's and he had a draft notice.....sad but true..... we drank whiskey at the bar- felt so sophisticated for an Ohio girl.  A Cleveland Girl.

I hope he made it back home...alive.  Sadly, I made it back to Cleveland alive.......

Winter Notes- Wednesday, January 17th. It got down to EIGHT DEGREES and snowed- not much.

 Yes, you read that number correctly- EIGHT DEGREES.  And, the Sun is shining.

Let's all just weep for the California Boy.........Culture shock is one thing....A 77 year old housemate is another shock.......but EIGHT DEGREES for the California Boy------OMG!!! (for ME, TOO)

The Plow Guy arrived well after we went to bed....the driveway got plowed and he shoveled the walks. I am going to call and leave a message that he doesn't have to shovel the walks...we can handle that.  It's really way too much for this guy- Who knew my husband etc etc.... he feels duty bound, I think to help me out.  And I am grateful..Very. but not enough to want him to drop dead shoveling.

The Oil Company also stopped by to fill the Oil Tank--just in case.....Which I am also very thankful for- as I do get a bit twitchy if I think we might run out....and freeze to death.

I am going to collect onion skins at my next visit to the grocery store....sometimes they have already cleaned up the bins but I could get lucky.  I read an article about dyeing cloth with onion skins...new to me info.  I have some scraps of fabric that could use additional color.  And I feel like doing a bit of that sort of thing.  My son is NOT going to think this is a "good idea" so...I may not get to dye cloth with onion skins.

I had hot dogs for lunch yesterday...I reminded myself that I like hot dogs for lunch.  With mustard and relish.....I also like them well charred...blackened.  I did not appreciate the news...so I watched something else.  Is Nicole EVER coming back???????

Winter Notes- Post number 4482- Light bead sized snow, Temps in the 20's

 The Weather People always threaten us with this much snow....then we get hardly enough to cover the still green grass.  We used to get this much....always.  Not now...

I have a smear of blood on my desktop calendar-- another of the big fat black flies... Sat on my keyboard and it was the very last thing he will ever do in his Fly Lifespan.  He's now smashed compost.

I have yet to find out where they come from...this is the third year of waiting around for them to show up and then smacking them to death with the fly swatter.   Daughter thinks from the Cutsie Cabinet next to the fireplace we will never use...for fire wood storage and a neat pass thru from a garage pile of dry wood.

Maine homes were originally supposed to have two sources of heat....furnace and fireplace.   Because electricity was never a SURE THING.  Now the two sources are furnace and generator but every home on the street has a fireplace.....and when they light them up- I cannot breath.  Smoke shuts my windpipe down.

Daughter thinks the flies have found a spot to sleep in the fire wood pass thru.  I taped all the open edges of the cabinet doors closed...... but they might have already gotten in.

I have a few more "might be great" books to read and I ordered a book (from Library) recommended to me by a woman standing in front of the romance section of a new to me bookstore.... We exchanged titles of favorite books.  I have a few more to add to my new list.

Now to find something to make with my cabbage.

Winter Notes- Monday, January 15th. Belated Post- Nothing Is Wrong Here

 Cinnamon bun.

Football yesterday was the WORST.  

It's like Elections.  After all the Primary fights you end up with two supposedly good candidates and ...well,  Bad Sportmanlike Conduct.... geez.

So today more of the same? GAG.

I went to Freeport with my Master Gardener Classmate.  She's working and has the discount.  I got two fresh white LLBean tee shirts.  My old stash was getting worn out...I needed fresh tees minus the holes..  We didn't find any pants under $100 or pretty darn close. They also refused to change the battery in my old watch.  An LLBean watch.......bummer.

I also had a BLT that cost me $16.

The Book Store where I scored a book light for when we have a power failure....only I have no where to charge it DURING the power failure....  but I will have 10 hours of reading....once it gets charged. I will have to make sure it's charged before any snow storms.  Husband's bathroom has the right socket for charging things (ie.. his hearing aids)

Well, that was my Monday from 11am to 4 pm.  Now I have tea in a big cup and the couch.  Son put the garbage and trash out by the curb- alongside the recycling can.  I had that on my list.

I am finding myself losing interest in the books I chose last week.... oh and a book to see if I can ask for at the library.......

Winter Notes- Sunday, January 14th. 36 degrees and Sunshine.

 Sally Muir's A Dog A Day.  Paintings.

We had Wind yesterday and further south from us- major flooding with some wharf's going out to Sea. We, Son and I watched the Browns game but don't "do" Peacock so didn't see the second game. I am always perplexed by the playoff games being not very good.  Boring, even.  And often this then moves on to the Super Bowl being less than Super.

I finished  Good Fortune and am considering buying the book for my Pride and Prejudice Collection. 

The book I am reading now is about Financial Traders.  It's very very well written but.....I just do not care for either the lead woman or the lead man.  Which pains me, as, I haven't read a book like this one in a long long time.... but I am done with it..on page 115.  I read the ending...I had no idea we were getting into Trump politics but it went there... so I'm done.  Title is Everything's Fine by Cecilia Rabess.

I baked my Sweet Potatoes and ate both of them with butter, salt and Swiss Cheese.  Melted the cheese in the just out of the oven potatoes.  It sounds weird but it's really fantastic.  Sweet, Cheesy, Melty.

Today we are having Football Pizza.  Yesterday, when we could not watch the Kansas City game because it's "streaming" on Peacock.....(which had to be explained to me)....the Super Bowl is also being streamed on Peacock.  So you can watch it on your iphone or laptop....sounds delightful (not).... pretty soon people and their iPhones will be ONE.    I won't be joining in the fun.

I forgot to take my morning pills again yesterday.  I have my pills in the pill dispenser husband used- has the days on each little section of the container...for some reason I remembered when they were in bottles but not when they are in Sunday, Monday etc snap open dispenser.  I remembered today but noticed yesterday's pills still in the Saturday space.

Son unpacked his last box- a Large Kitchen Box.  We found places for everything and there is even a Coffee Maker.  I had one long ago.  And liked it.  I even had freshly ground locally roasted  beans that I used to make coffee.  I am tempted to forgo the "instant coffee" and actually brew coffee.  Husband had a Keurig and candy flavored coffee pods....ICK.  That is going to Goodwill.  Right now I have a jar of instant decaf...  very very boring....I also have a collection of French Presses in the cupboard...because i liked that at one time also with the locally roasted beans.....(now being sold at my grocery store).

I seem to move thru things- slowly but always changing...letting things go and keeping other things way to long.  So it's a process.  I got an invitation (advertisement) to visit a community of small homes for those of us "living alone now in retirement"...... It's down by Portland, Maine...the "big" city of Maine.  Odd that it arrives the same ..week we have discussions of me living somewhere managed and smaller.

or perhaps not odd at all.

Winter Notes- A Very Windy Rainy Saturday Morning in Maine. 99% humidity. 38 degrees

 I have zero idea of what images I have on the desktop.  We've had this one before...and I just deleted it. From the desktop array.   The images are so tiny I can't make them out.  This is from December I think.

I need to return to the cactus drawings on index cards...now that Son says I can send pictures again.  He says. I have no proof that it is possible. Of course, I might need to draw something other than cactus. I was pretty close to not having any decent source material at the time the camera went nuts.

A handful of drawings over near my left elbow...pretty nice looking.  I can draw.  

Not nuts- it's old..senile....the Camera... and forgot how to send things.  It just forgot mid-process what was doing....like me.  Walking into the kitchen with a fantastic idea for a snack and then standing by the counter and saying- there is nothing there to eat.  I bought bagels instead of a loaf of bread....Just for variation on a theme......

I have a handful of pages left in the Pride and Prejudice themed Good Fortune book. Darcy is making his move- slow as usual but getting there.  My favorite thing in a Rom Com is the awkward leading man.  This Darcy is plenty awkward...and this Elizabeth is prickly.  If this was a movie in a theater I can hear the people in the audience yelling- kiss her already you butt head.  Imagine a book written by me.......

Winter Notes- Friday, January 12th. Waiting for the Next Weather Shoe to Drop.

 I think the last of the Postcards from Provence.

I might have a coffee pot like this in the very way back of the cupboard.  

We did grocery shopping today as Monday is looking like a Weather Hell Hole...but things could change???   I got red grapefruit to peel and segment and eat with Greek Honey Yogurt and Bran buds.  One of my Favorite Lunches to take to work at the Greenhouse.

for a Reader who asked-- the name of the company with the deconstructed appliqué kits is as follows:

Wattle & Loop Handmade Slow Stitch Kits  https://wattleandloop.com

So...I have Library Books, I am eating a very delicious Pear while I type....I will be refreshing my coffee cup and then reading my Chinese Family- Pride and Prejudice book.  Good Fortune.  All the characters are now in place. The slimy bastard just arrived.  The print is tiny and I can't read for long periods of time... the print is also not dark....I am thinking that most new books have this problem- tiny print and light ink. Saving money but losing Readers?  At least 77 year old ones...

My Master Gardener Classmate has her car in Intensive Care...it didn't pass inspection and needs work. That happened to daughter and me with our Honda Fit's....we had to have extensive body work done on the rear/under parts of both cars.... Honda paid for it... a "design flaw".  Not sure Toyota will cover her rusty parts.  But I hope they do........

Winter Notes- Thursday, January 11th. Sunshine and 39 degrees

 Postcards from Provence----Bread and Water.

I started the day with a hot shower and freshly washed hair.  Old woman white as Snow hair.  Getting longer and weirder as the weeks go by.  I am hoping to pull it all into a topknot with a rubber band eventually......by next year?  Right now it amazes me with it's ability to curl..... I am just starting to value having curly hair. About time!!!

So.....what's new?  Sunshine is new..... Melted snow is new........Actually finishing a project- making work mittens out of wool socks for my daughter.......is new.

Another storm on it's way so we might be going to do grocery shopping today and not on Monday. We actually have very little in the fridge to eat right now....so would be in our best interests to do a shop today. I have one yogurt, a few slices of cheese (but no bread for a toasted cheese with pickles) sour cream, milk, pickles and 6 eggs.  I have oatmeal.  I could make pancakes.  We need pizza stuff..

We lost most of the freezer contents on the first 3 day per outage.  We didn't have the generator going fast enough to keep the freezer cold.  And then we did ...but it was too late.  Large things were okay but small items thawed out.  Big Bag for the garbage men.

I am asking my sister in law to resend the info on the free wheeling appliqué...  I seem to have deleted it.  I actually thought I had just moved it...but no.  Stuff happens.

My Son says if I used the CLOUD I would still have it- along with every other piece of crap that ever appeared on this computer....you cannot get rid of anything once you Cloud it.  I know...I spent quite awhile getting that f...er to disappear.  Right now I get messages 24/7 about the Cloud on my iPhone which I delete.......NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN. Even with their threats.....see, that's what I don't like...the threats that I will lose everything.....I got nothing left to lose on the phone. Zero. I delete everything..

Winter Notes- Wednesday, January 10th. All is Well here in Maine- Sunshine 45 degrees

 This is the image of one of the raw edge, loose stitched pieces in the kits....not the best image for seeing the random fill in stitches on each petal.  No turned edges.... you know that bothers me.

So. it's Sunshine and Happiness this morning.....here in Maine.  We, son and I, were ready for the worst... but ....not today.  I could hear the wind last night...I had a flashlight next to the bed....so I could safely get to one of the exits....  the grass under the snow is nice and green.  I don't even see a breeze .....

So...on to the next STORM, I guess.  I watched the weather channel and we were lucky and others were NOT.

I have my oatmeal in the microwave growing colder by the minute....so this will be a short post.  I am reading a sad romance book- about a widow in her 30's- husband died of cancer-- and she is using a dating app.   She is also emptying out the farm house where she and husband were very happy. There is an opportunity for a new career..... Her mother and brother have a drinking problem.....  sigh. I need to get thru the book. She just finished a cancer fund raising run... and I hope she decides on which guy is the ONE.  Then on to the next book on the shelf.......

so, Readers, you can stand down....we are safe, dry, warm and the fridge is still running.  And...bonus...INTERNET.... Life is GOOD TODAY.

Winter Notes- Tuesday, January 9th. It's as if the Weather is doing maximum damage here.

 We may have had this one already----I can't quite see the tiny image screen.  Postcards from Provence.

Well, as they say......"some weather" we are getting this Winter... son is for sure not living here.... but he did make an appointment to get the Jeep inspected.. later this week.... so it will have a valid sticker on the window.  He also shoveled two exit points in case we need to get out of the house in an emergency.

Here in Maine having TWO cleared and easy to exit the house opportunities is a MUST.  My Lunch Buddy lives across the street from a veteran firefighter... House Number Two.  Having a two story home makes it even more tricky.  

Law and Order on BBC has started over from the beginning again... I love the older ones. Wide shoulder pads on the women and enormous hair. I think I wrote the same comment last time the old ones started ...

I went thru husband's word search puzzle books and the newer ones with just a few puzzles done- I tore finished ones out and will leave a few books at a time on the Library drop and share area in the vestibule.  The newest books hadn't been touched. And the pen marks got shakier and shakier as time went on. Some of the pages were quite chaotic.  Like a timeline...

I put out the recycling bin last night.  Filled to the top...I didn't put out a garbage bag as we didn't have enough to fill it and it's pay by bag so I only like to have a full bag.  I usually, in the old days, would walk around the house looking for stuff to put in the bag until it was full.....I am not that involved these days.

I am not really focused on anything these days.....just getting thru a day is a win.

I was going to bake a cake- but the two boxes of cake mix had expired use by dates...so I checked with the internet and...the mix was fine but the leavening ingredients weren't...so adding fresh baking powder would make everything okay...so do I or don't I????  Do I really want to have cake in the house?????

Winter Notes--- Monday, January 8th. Much to do about something so I am late posting.

 Postcards from Provence- Onions? Shallots?

It snowed...I was Almost Positive it would just rain...but there is 12 inches of Heavy Wet Snow out there.  My neighbor's plow guy came at midnight with his truck...he shoveled her walks but when I looked out to see how things were he very sadly told me he could not shovel the snow and did not have a snowblower- so no sidewalks got done.  Son did a bit of clean up this morning and a narrow shoveling to get from driveway to front steps....opening the back door is not possible.  Walking to the compost pile or Bird Feeders is not possible....when I mentioned that his father had run the snowblower around the yard to make paths- he said- "no wonder he had trouble making it run".

There is zero chance Son will be here next Winter.  Its only the 8th of January and he is "so over it".

We chatted (gingerly) about where I would BE next Winter...sigh.

Before we watched Football my best friend in Cleveland called. (and I missed the Bengal's game)....from 5th grade thru high school.  Once I went away to college we lost touch...her dad was worried I had "bad habits"--I didn't..  She went to college and lived at home.  We lost touch and then saw each other on one of my summer visits to Ohio from Florida.  A photo she took of me and my two small children was found in Gary's wallet when I emptied it.

I gave her the address for this blog- I hope what I gave her got her here!  Let me know, Diane.

My sister in law sent a link to a site selling Whimsical Botanical Fabric Art...... I really loved the way they look.  No turned edges, just layers of cut pieces and then some random stitches.  Very very interesting. I may have a photo and address for you all tomorrow...today I am a bit off center.  Emotional...Apprehensive......

About what comes next.... difficult for me to even type this post- ...sigh.  Well, I think I need to eat something.  Past lunchtime. Son polished off the Orange Chicken.  I will finish the Lo Mein- I did manage to add extra vegetables.

Winter Notes- Sunday January 7th. Light Dry Snow. A few inches. Nothing to See Here In Maine Speak.

 

Scallops.  

I never thought I would like them- I don't like fishy things- but I do love scallops.  We don't have any but I saw this picture in the NYT feed and liked it...reminding me of other times... going to restaurants with G.

So......snowblower WORKS and Son found it "fun".  Did the sidewalks. Cleared the area around the Jeep parked in the driveway (because my not working Honda Fit is taking up garage space).

Pizza is out on the counter and ready for Football Pizza whenever we decide which game is the least amount of boring.  I usually chose the Bengals.  But...we'll see.

Snow is supposed to fall until 4 pm.  Then it will RAIN? Always a good time here in Coastal Maine.

I had son carry all the fabric containers (next to and in front of my couch) to the sewing room....I rarely do any sewing now that Riley is no longer my co-pilot.  He always watched the work as I did it....Letting me know he liked it or did not like it.  He was 100% correct in the stuff he did not like. It was always bad.

The Male Cardinal is outside in front of the living room window.  He was there yesterday as well. I notice the spot of bright red and look and there he is.  He is now eating the seeds the small birds drop on the porch.   

That's all for today. I have to stretch my arm....I think G had exercise bands somewhere.....

Winter Notes- Saturday, January 6th Cloudy and 27 degrees

 The East Coast Snow Map with no little box saying what the colors mean...Useless.  And it's from the New York Times.......  in case you don't recognize Maine- we have a slice of pale yellow and then dark blue way up at the top jutting out into the Ocean.  I live like 10 minutes (driving) from the Ocean so....there's that.  I can't see it....or smell it.  I might like seeing it...never smelling it.

We went Grocery Shopping.  TODAY....we did it so that ALL the Lovely Women Worrying about my Safety...could rest easy.....we also stopped in at the Library..I got two books and returned a few.  

It's 12:39 and I already need to turn on house lights...And it's really bright outdoors so I have no idea what is going on with daylight.  Son went out to a gas station to add some air to one of the front tires on G's Jeep and to fill the Generator Gas Can.  And to tell me he was REALLY getting tired of this  (blank).. 

He also ate Chinese takeout leftovers for lunch.  I fried extra carrots and green beans to add to my leftover Lo Mein.  Never can have too many vegetables. But I am not hungry yet.....seems like I ate breakfast oatmeal only an hour ago.  And I think that is exactly what I did do.  Newspaper was dull.  Sports was dull.  Politics....sigh..... rehashing January 6th......sigh.  I watched recorded Civilizations (PBS).... Lovely images....I enjoyed it.  

I finished  my book before going to bed last night (very late)....and have to decide which book to read today.  I did get two new ones at the Library..no more than that...as I really should read some of the books I own.....I  recently bought all of my favorites that I check out at Library ALL THE TIME.....in case...I can't leave the house but now I can leave the house.....I think  my Lunch Buddy and I are having Lunch this coming week......I think she has lots to talk about..... and I am happy to listen and not make suggestions...  I hate people making suggestions when I just want to air out my complaints..."oh, you should...."  Just don't say it.   So that's me...

Winter Notes- Friday, January 5th. Sunshine and 25 degrees

 Postcards From Provence.

Sunshine but very cold outside.... I have the house temp at 64.  Wearing a sweater.  Wool socks.

I had a shower this morning...to get my hair in some sort of manageable position.  It chose this morning to go Horror Movie Crazy.  Having curly hair is a very interesting situation when you have always gotten it (hair) cut very very short.  But I sort of enjoy the mystery of it. And it feels really nice when I run my fingers thru it.

Son just finished making Tater Tots in the Air Fryer daughter bought me.  I haven't tried it out as yet. Yesterday I had two baked Sweet  Potatoes for dinner....lovely.  We are having Chinese Take Out later today.....We are both pretty excited about that. And Son will stop at the grocery store to buy a few things before picking up the Chinese Food.   I have everything I need to make soup. We will be fine.

Snow is supposed to arrive Monday....it hardly ever arrives on time.  And hardly ever when it's 25 degrees.

We are still looking at Green Grass here in Maine.  I just leaned back in my chair and the backyard looks like August with so much SUNSHINE..

I have something on my desk calendar- "I don't want to. I don't have to. You can't make me".  That's ME. ME as Maine.  I am actually living in the perfect State for my attitude.  Oh, Donald you have no idea....

Well, I have a book to finish......and another to start and this tiny ad for a internet class in Abstract Embroidery.  Oh...perfect for me.  The example looks like a mess of threads..... and NO I am not taking a class......I did that and ended up helping everyone seated next to me with the stitches etc...I can look at the sample and know everything........and I never follow the rules anyway.  

Well, on the road when I used to drive....I did follow rules there.  Perhaps that is way I never liked driving????

Winter Notes- Thursday, January 4th. Dark but warmer......Snow on Monday?

 Postcards from Provence.

Dark Skies Today...not sure what is coming.....in the weather....but not till Monday. Snow may hit us or may miss us!!!

Got a strange notice from "Xinity" about security etc.  I asked the engineer to look it over and he said it was fake....and the return email address would have been for Xfinity and it wasn't.  I can see how the fraudster would work this.......you email to check and he says give me your password and zap...it's all over but for the circus clowns.

And, if there was a serious Xfinity breach- letters would go out to cover their butts.

So, that was that....I like paper....so if anyone wants to tell me about serious stuff- send me paper.  I can read it, I can copy it and send to my Attorney etc. or even take it to the Police Station in Town.

Son and I are down to almost nothing in the Food department.  We missed our Monday shopping day and now we wait for next Monday (to get back on schedule)........I have two sweet potatoes in the oven baking.....he finished off the one slice of Football Pizza and made a Burrito out of what ever he found in the fridge.  He has a Chicken Parm Dinner....We won't starve.  There is ALWAYS SOUP.......And there is always driving somewhere and buying food.  

We haven't had Chinese yet..... we have had Vietnamese.

Son is outside working on the Bird feeders- cleaning and filling them. And now he is collecting broken branches off the back lawn.  A few trees back there need a good clean up of dead branches.  

That's it for today....I paid two bills and...moved the emergency candles.

Winter Notes- Wednesday January 3rd. 34 degrees and cloudy

 More Postcards from Provence.

Yesterday was my Annual doctor's visit.  At 3 pm.  Before darkness falls in Maine.

I lost 40 pounds.  Since my summer visit.  Doctor is worried.  I told him my husband's story.  He was only slightly less worried but pleased to hear Son is living with me.  He says alone would be troubling.

I got two shots...vaccines....and I will be getting two more (??) at the grocery store (pneumonia and shingles).  Flu in my right arm as I am right handed and COVID in the left.  They also took blood.  The Good News- I don't need to come back until next January..... so.unless the blood work spikes alarm...I'm going to live another year. Or More.

We came back home just as it was getting dark.  I am now thinking I will need to take a taxi for next year's visit.  Son was only staying for one year...October.  

I had cheese, some corn chips and pistachios for supper when we got home. A cup of sweet hot tea. I should have eaten one of the last two pears.  But I didn't. I will today.  I also have rice my Son made me days ago (in that fancy rice cooker)....I'll add green peas to it.  I think we have made our way thru all the Holiday Food.  So will have to actually cook something.  We didn't have any "plans" for this week. I am thinking he would enjoy take out or just going out to eat...he could bring home something for me.

And that's it.  I am reasonably sure I will live to be 80 (3 more years) or even match my dad at 86 (nine more years).  I once thought I would like living to 100....but now, I am not so sure about that.

Winter Notes- Tuesday, January 2nd 2024- Sunshine and 23 degrees in Maine

 Good Morning.....cold.  We put the recycling and garbage out last night.  My neighbor has her bags out also.  It's cold.  It's only 9:36 and why am I awake????

My oatmeal in the microwave is ready to eat so this post will be short.... I am hungry and I have very little "new" to share with you.   I haven't filled in the first two days of the new desk calendar as yet- still wondering what I want to do here.   Sometimes it's newspaper headlines....other times I draw and color with pencils or pens.......other times I write where and what we are doing things.....I also paste images to the surface...and then color around them.....this morning I am still not sure the direction I want to take in 2024.

I feel like this is a POINT in Time when I stay put or move in a new direction.......I feel like I have been stalled for a long long time.....and it might be Time to jump off the safe roof and do something new.

Re-invent myself.  It's there...on the edges of my thinking.  This little Hint of "what could be" going forward....all this "letting go" has given long abandoned dreams a bit of room in my head and my heart to stretch and expand...  sounds like the beginning of Startrek. (excuse the spelling)

Well Oatmeal waits for no woman...... episode two tomorrow.

Winter Notes- January First 2024.

 Well, it's cold here in Maine..... no snow and 27 degrees.

We had Football Pizza and watched several games yesterday.  I finished a very very strange book...I seem to have checked out a handful of strange books on one of my Library Visits.  Not the last one but the one before that.  I am often rolling my eyes.  And they are very very X rated. (laughing)

I have my first real visit with my new doctor tomorrow.  I am hoping he has at least one flu shot and possibly a COVID shot for me.  If not...I will continue as I have been.....carefully.

My oatmeal has binged in the kitchen so this post will be short as I am hungry and do not like reheated oatmeal. Football  Pizza yesterday had pineapple and mild pickled peppers on it...also pepperoni and cheese. Son and I are experimenting with pizza toppings...... we are finishing off the last of the Christmas Food.  Then we have to confer on what else we might want to cook together.  

I have to say....having him here has been quite wonderful.