Winter Notes- Thursday. February 29th. 27 degrees 35% humidity. Very different from 54 yesterday.

 Today we have Sunshine and Cold.  The warm weather of yesterday has moved on. Even with my thermal cotton shirt and my wool sweater I am a bit chilled.  I always have on socks....I was born with ice cold feet.

So. already Thursday.   Library, Grocery Store Tomorrow.  Time is flying past this week.  For the first time in quite a long time.  I must be getting better, huh?  Returning to Regular Programming.

Son is having some difficulty with the temperature swings....yesterday he went and registered his car and got a Maine license plate.  He and another new Mainer from New Jersey got the Maine "speech" regarding car registration etc.  Then he went to lunch and had a very nice beer and sandwich at the Pub.  the sandwich could have been better....chip off the Mom Block.

Anyway.  It's colder today.  Spring isn't here in Maine as yet.  There are still places on the lawn with snow and ice.  My Lunch Buddy asked for my Lawn Mower Guy's numbers.....her husband is older than mine was and he had also started a lawn fire last year......so.......eventually the Lawn Guys could be doing the entire street.  We've all Aged Out.

Lunch Buddy also finally took her Volvo in for servicing....she said the check engine light had been on for awhile...Now I know what "awhile" means in my head but not a clue what it meant in her head.  But I think it was.....a while.........Volvo repairs are expensive....I do remember that.  And I never owned a Volvo. but I really really did want one.  I got a BMW Z3 instead.  Convertible.  My mid life crisis car.  Loved it.

Winter Notes- Wednesday, February 28th. Wet. It's raining 49 degrees with 99% humidity.

 Gosh, Onion Soup on a day like today sounds like Heaven In a Bowl.  Wish I had some.

I have the house lights on.  The Morning newspaper --my only thoughts are- what is wrong with people? Where did all this hate come from???? Was it always there but no one had given it oxygen before.

I am depressed about living the last years of my Life listening to this crap endlessly.  We are ALL humans. Nothing different inside our bodies and hearts... but in our minds- which we control....there is no need for all this hate.  No need for it.  

Perhaps this comes to me naturally as I was integrated from kindergarten thru fourth grade.  Children came in different shapes and colors and it was all as it should be.....then we moved to a neighborhood where everyone was one color.  It wasn't until college that I saw all the other colors again and it felt real again. And now I live in a state where we are mostly one color again.  And it doesn't feel right.

I have more to say but this is not that kind of blog.  It was once - at the very beginning about cloth and making things....and then about gardening.....and then about books.....things that interested me and I wanted to share...  

Now I share my bereavement.  Comfortable in my own skin: with flaws, foibles and all.

My neighbor and I had a lovely lunch yesterday.

Winter Notes- Tuesday, February 27th. 40 degrees 89% humidity. Cloudy.

 Higgins Rio Grand.

Stranger Than Truth Weather here in Maine. In February.  

Nicole Wallace was back in her seat on MSNBC yesterday.  That was exciting for all of her devoted fans.  I watched most of the show and it got really intense for awhile.  My Lunch Buddy was happy to see the replacement gone.....she didn't bother me...Buddy thought her straight stare and staccato voice was disturbing.  I thought she was just nervous- Nicole was more than likely watching.

Izzy.  Must have been difficult leaving her at home.

So I am going lunch today.  With my Lunch buddy.  The Flu and COVID germs her family shared for the past months have cleared.  She has a grandson in high school.  Spring and they will get on the road to tour more colleges.  

I walked around and tried to think of a project- some handwork to do when I didn't feel like reading. I usually do handwork while watching TV.  TV, in itself, does not hold my interest. Even Law and Order.

If I am not involved...then my mind tends to wander.....and then I change channels and finally shut the TV off.  And then I sit and wonder what I will do NOW.  The book I am reading is a good one... so that helps. But really, I think I am boring myself ........nothing much happens here... today I am concentrating on the funny sound I "think" the fridge is making...but when I step closer- it isn't making any noise. 

Really...this is how I spent the morning.  29 minutes until I go OUT to lunch.

Winter Notes- Monday February 26th. 38 degrees with Sunshine.

 Pancake Day is coming up...28th.  Wednesday.

We had Sunday Pizza yesterday and instead of American Football I watched Rugby.  France- Italy. It is a brutal game with some identity with American Football.  That circle pile thing with the ball "pooping" out and then all hell breaks loose....I don't understand it.  The running and tossing the ball- I saw Miami do that in a Super Bowl and it really should happen more often in American Football. And those enormous thighs....from doing that circle pile thing.  The penalty for touching the REF must be substantial.  

There was no Soccer.  Or there was but I was too late. So I had a glass of wine with the pizza.

I usually watch tv on cable in the three digit numbers but...watched the rugby on the four digit station.  Then watched some Hallmark there as well... different.  I might have to go over there more often.  Sense and Sensibility...  It was pretty awful.....the clothes were actually the best part and the hair and location...BUT....being Hallmark it was "in British slang"- all horse and no saddle.  Actually filmed in England I think???

Of the four Austen Hallmark Movies- best for location, clothes, hair and horses. Not much else.

I lost track of who was dating whom.....And I've read the book.  And seen the excellent movie. PBS.

So.  Son reported some light snow over night...melted before I got out of bed...  earlier than the past few days....so what ever has bothered me- I am getting past it......it's been four months.  I no longer feel like I have one of those black clouds hanging over me all day....sigh.  Life Goes On.

Hot Dogs for Luncheon today....yeah!!!

Winter Notes- Sunday February 25th. 28 degrees, sunshine and 50% humidity.

 Mockingbird.

I went to bed at 11pm and got out of bed at 11am.  I think I might have gotten 7 or 8 hours of good sleep. I stayed in bed because...I really had no reason to get out of bed.......sounds like I am tipping over to depression doesn't it.?  I need to find something creative to get me interested...the reading is no longer doing that for me.  I found a new station Charger with Law and Order from 8 to 11pm every week day.

I watched three episodes and then went to bed. Better than Primary Election Returns.

 When I finally got up,  I dressed and made my coffee and oatmeal...read the Sunday News....and did two Sudoko Puzzles....I never actually finish them.....I get as far as I can go, count my answers and circle the total. For awhile there I was doing one of the "jump the pegs till only one is left" games.... I had varied results on that. I was also doing the puzzle daughter gave to husband and I.  We would do them together at breakfast. I tried doing them with son but he finished pretty much instantly while I was still working on mine...what actually held my interest with husband was that we had very different solutions...and it was a good exercise for him.

Anyway.  Today is Sunday Pizza.   I watched Soccer yesterday and had hoped there would be another game today....It's on USA so I will look and see...but the game will not match up to pizza time.  Open Wheel Racing hasn't started as yet....Son loves watching that.  I am learning about Open Wheel Racing.. and with Racing we are trying to do Nachos.  Change things up a bit.

It was supposed to rapidly warm up today...I guess not.  But the Sunshine is welcome at any temperature here in Maine. And that's about all I have to share today...

Winter Notes- Saturday. February 24th- 31 degrees and sunshine.

This might be a repeat...I am cleaning out the picture file.  Cosmos.

I went to bed at 9:30pm and got out of bed at 9:30 am.  Twelve hours.  I was tired.  Really tired.  And now I feel well rested.....I think during the, perhaps YEARS, of husband's decline---I was awake a lot- on alert.  And now ...getting used to being "off duty" I can just go to bed and sleep......just sleep.  It feels good.  No dreams so...I know that is not really great but perhaps dreams will return someday.

I had an assortment of things to eat yesterday.  Nothing I would call "a meal".  I am really thinking- when is the last time I actually had a meal at home?  Christmas?  I mean, I cook food but will just carry the bowl to the table or to the couch and eat it and then carry the bowl to the sink...is this a meal?

This actually might be the way people in 2024 eat. Walking around the house....spooning food into their mouth.  Carrying a sandwich on other days while looking out the back window...or eating a pear looking ou the front window at the mess the birds have made of the birdseed in the feeders.

C and I are not on the same schedule.  Well..he has a schedule and I do not.

I read the morning paper, ate my oatmeal, took my pills and am finishing up my cup of instant coffee. I did as much of the sudoko puzzle in the paper as I could....13 numbers.  Some mornings- I get only single digits.  I haven't actually completed a puzzle....ever.

I am reading Dumpling by Julie Murphy.  YA book.  This book was made into a Hallmark Movie but I have never seen it on tv.  I would like to.  Jennifer Anniston plays the mother.  Another book I love is also a movie - The Hating Game.  I have no idea where it is shown.  

National Pancake Day- February 28th....

Winter Notes- Friday, February 23rd. 37 degrees and raining.

 Dismal and Raining.

Yesterday I watched PBS.  An hour about an artist.  Alan Magee I think.  I don't want to go searching right now.  I have it in my TiVo storage.  I like watching it.  This image only slightly reminds me of his work. I also watched PBS and Leonardo......who may have copied other's work and then improved on their ideas.

Magee painted his paint box---I loved the image.

I am staying away from MSNBC--yesterday and today.  Alabama.  Supreme Court.  Putin.  Not a world I want to live in.

We did Library and Grocery.  I got books.  Nothing that excites me.  I was going to select off the 7 days shelves as we come to the library every 7 days....but none of the books I wanted to read were there.  And I didn't feel like reading the inside covers.... I woke from a..not disturbing...but a thinking about it dream. And now I can't recall it so...I am just waiting for the thoughts to drift back into my mind.

Son ventured out to the DMV and got his new Maine Driver's License yesterday.  Paper now and the real one in a week or two.  Now he needs to register his car.  He was number 61 so the DMV had a busy day? Went Sam and I went- number 13 was close to the 8 am starting time.

Yesterday, My mind was traveling back and forth- present, past, future.  When I do that, it wears me out. 

I chose Hot Dogs for this week.  And got some very crisp chicken nuggets from the Hot Bar.  I also got Bagels and cream cheese.  I got Oatmeal.  Used the very last of the old box for breakfast-  thank goodness today was shopping day.  I also got Bran Flakes.  For cold cereal days.  I stood in front of the beets.... I love them roasted with olive oil and Balsamic vinegar....I did not get them.  Next week.  I still have two sweet potatoes.... I selected three smooth skinned heavy navel oranges for my fruit....

I took several books back to the library unread.  And I spent time trying to recall a book I liked....finally I remembered the title.  It's in my bookcase.  

Okay that is all I have...I am waiting to hear if the lander on the Moon is working...they said the signal was weak.  Fingers crossed......I am a big fan of space exploration.

Winter Notes- Thursday, February 22nd. 35 degrees and cloudy.

 Marigolds.  I had so many in the containers last summer...Cheerfully bountiful.

I managed to get today's NYT's Whole Orange Snack Cake printed off the internet.  I actually feel sort of "Rocket Scientist" smart right now.....just sort of....  I had to cut and past the recipe title to the page...

I have "just enough" oatmeal for breakfast tomorrow..that's how close I am to having no breakfast.  Recall me standing and looking at the oatmeal display last Friday and not buying a container.......sigh. Wasn't on the list.....on the list for tomorrow...for sure.

I showered this morning...my hair feels all soft.....I also have on pants I haven't fit into since 15- 20 years? perhaps... from that Fall I worked at LLBean.  That was a long time ago.  LLBean doesn't make these pants anymore.... corduroy with waist, button and zipper.  Now it's elastic and no zipper.  Like all day corduroy pajama pants.  This doesn't mean I lost any more weight....I don't own any thing but large pants. Some fit and most don't.  All LLBean rejects. With zipper and button at the waist. Soft green.

When I like something...I like it forever.

I found two fat round bars of grapefruit orange soap.  I have only half a bottle of Pink Grapefruit body Spray.  From a store that sold soap and body spray.  I would love to have more spray so I could smell like grapefruit every day.  Bath and Body...that was the store up the road a bit...gone now. Half a bottle.

In one of my romance books the guy wears something that smells like cedar and grapefruit....and the girl finds it so very nice.....even when she doesn't like him.  In my next Life...

No bagel for mid morning snack.  I could bake the last two sweet potatoes for supper later today.  I had promised to make soup....but I didn't.  I should check the crisper drawer...see what's left in there. Add what I don't have to the grocery list under Crisper Drawer....usually carrots, celery and cabbage.  I might also need a few onions and potatoes. Soup Supples.  We are nearly done with Winter Soup....or I am nearly done with Winter Soup.   A Cooking Show had No Fry Eggplant Parm yesterday.  I could try that.

Well, I think I have bored you all enough for today.  It was suggested I take a daily walk.  Last time I walked away from the house I fell down and hurt my arm and broke my glasses (bloodied my face) so I won't try that again....yet.

Winter Notes- Wednesday February 21st. Sunshine and 26 degrees.

 Butterfly. Moth?

I need to grab some interesting stuff for the picture file.

My eyes are incredibly DRY this morning...I added drops but still a problem. Entire House is Dry.

My Daily Horoscope says a change will spark my imagination and offer a different perspective on what's best and next for me.  Since I haven't had an interesting "next" offered to me in years....I don't have a clue.

I finished  reading Love Her or Lose Her yesterday. Tessa Bailey.  Not my favorite.  On to the next one. But less and less to choose from.  Amazing Grace Adams is next up--- not a clue. what's it's about. I put two in the return bag (unread) as I recalled reading- or trying to read both-- years ago.....and being disappointed.  The house is dry and my eyes are bothering me...even with the French Eye Drops. 

The news about the people Trump has lined up to help turn America into a religious dictatorship......I am starting to be glad Canada is just a few hours drive from here....but they might close their border if too many Americans make a run for it.  I never never thought we would get this close to a third world dictatorship. With a certifiable lunatic running for President. He has spelled it out...wants to be a Dictator. This time.

I am certain that, here in Maine, we (all 1.25 million Mainers) can safely just stop watching the news and reading the paper and we won't have a clue that anything is wrong.  We already ignore Tucker. And he lives in Maine.  

I haven't watched MSNBC in a few days....and there is nothing I want to watch on BBC America.  I don't like Bones.  I am watching PBS- Cooking and Science stuff. Reading.  Staring into space.  If I was actually depressed I could revert to sleeping all day....but I'm not.  Though now that I consider it- sitting on the couch with my eyes closed

And I have locally made Jelly Donuts.......yep they are back.....from where ever they went....last year.

Winter Notes- Tuesday February 20th. Sunshine and 27 degrees.

 Red Bud.

We sold quite a few of these in my Greenhouse Working Days.  A very very pretty Spring Flowering Tree. I never actually bought one for myself as our lot is quite packed with trees....none of them very pretty but they are tall and expensive to have removed.....

If husband and I had our way (and any money in the first 10 years- we did NOT), this yard would have been mistaken for a Botanical Garden.

This red bud would have been down the yard near the road, the sidewalk wrapping it like the walk in the picture.  Next Life...if I can remember.

My new frames are quite remarkable....not the look but the fit....the tech bent that one side arm and it really changes everything.  I no longer have to tilt my head to the right.

Son is busy trying to dig something "too thick" out of the shredder....I have it unplugged.  I was going to say "never a dull day" but quite a few of them are significantly dull.  I paid two bills today.  And I believe that is the extent of my responsibilities today.

I finished reading Unfortunately Yours and it was very very good.  Today's book is Love Her or Lose Her. I was going to re- read Chef's Choice but...I am not in the mood for it.  February is coming to an end and the book a day might also be on it's way to the end...at least for awhile.  I can't say for sure.

I might want to be be doing something else.. I gave just 4 minutes to thinking about learning to knit..taking a walk to the end the the street and back is another thinking point- but not when it's 27 degrees.  One more bowl of oatmeal and I will have to find new things for Thursday and Friday breakfast.  I do have Bran Flakes.

The shredder is fixed.

Winter Notes and Still Monday

 Immediately AFTER hitting publish the left lens fell out of my eyeglasses onto the keyboard... the frame- that green aqua replacement one out of the bargain bin at the eye place....... cracked in two places.

these are my all day glasses- NOT reading...so deep shit...

I called son down from the second floor and showed him what happened- he asked if I had other glasses. and I did but they were older scripts so not great to be using.... Frames were nice. Wrong size.

Anyway we went out and the nice lady at the eye glass place dug around in the cabinets and found the box with the same frame like I had....new ones are black and gray mix....and because I was in the room (this time)- she bent and got the arms correctly for my uneven ears.....I am quite happy.  And everything looks amazing...

I am betting that there might be a tweak to the new script on April 29th.  We'll see. And then I chose brand new frames.....hopefully a fantastically attractive color. And new unscratched lenses.

Then we went to lunch.  

Winter Notes- Monday, February 19th. 26 degrees, 45% humidity and sunshine.

 Bird Brain is actually quite large.

So...Monday.  I spent some of yesterday and a bit more this morning trying to contain and control my hair which suddenly decided to become "something" which it hasn't been until now.  Wide and unhinged looking.  Very very unhinged.  I look like a Mad Woman.

I am enjoying the Hallmark Jane Austin Movies.   I shouldn't be.  But there we have it. I liked most of them.  Enough to perhaps watch them a second time....even though they are so so...not great.

Son is going to get his new eye glasses today.  I am still in circling mode waiting for my April something appointment to get my eyes examined.....then I can get new glasses.  I add drops to my tired eyes...

We had No Football Pizza yesterday.  It was as delicious as ever....We have leftovers. I have no idea what I will eat today..but will start with oatmeal....I should have gotten a new box of oatmeal ...I recall standing and looking at the shelf filled with oatmeal.....and then not getting a container.   Wrong Decision.  From now on if my brain decides to stand and look at something....I need to buy it. But only at the grocery.

I have a tendency to stand and look at things I have no business buying.

Anyway.....I am not liking the book I am reading......hasn't hooked me.  So I might just move on.  I feel dull.   Boring.  Nothing is sparking any joy today.....not even a bagel and cream cheese.

So, I will stop typing and go have breakfast and look out the window......wait for inspiration. Or take a nap.  I wonder if  Law and Order is on today?  I am getting seriously fatigued by MSNBC.  And I have no sweater mending to do- which is usually very soothing.

Winter Notes- Snow, Shoveling Yesterday and Today Sunshine and 28 degrees.

 Pink Phlox.   Very Pink.

So. We had snow flurries yesterday and then son did the math......to shovel now or later or not at all. He went with now and it was a very good choice.   I think he also went out a second time.....so that if we had overnight rain- there wouldn't be a snow ice mess to clean up.  Sidewalk is clean and dry this morning.

He is getting his weather off the Apple site (on his iPhone)....they have been exceptionally "on target".  I am wondering if our next door neighbor is the one doing the weather for Apple.   He does weather for someone. It's his job. I imagine him in the room over the garage....lots of screens..... weather images

I was typing something but always wonder if I already told you........so I deleted it. UPS and the wrong house etc....

So......Pizza today minus the Football.  Son filled the front porch bird feeders.  Very messy eaters. Have not seen the Cardinal in many weeks now.  I left him some fruit but...no taker. I think a few squirrels gave the fruit a look see and the sole chipmunk comes for dropped sunflower seeds.....I am imagining a huge amount of Sunflowers sprouting along the base of the porch in the Summer. Hopefully.

I baked two of my sweet potatoes yesterday and had them with butter and melted cheese while watching William Shatner talk about Big Foot etc.  On Stranger than Truth or some such title.  Luckily Son was occupied and didn't catch me watching.  But now he is reading this.....oops. 

Remember me saying I didn't like Bookstore book.....got to page 66 and was calling it quits?  I finished it and it was a damned fine book.....The Book Haters' Book Club... title has nothing to do with the book's content. Author is Gretchen Anthony.   Even a bit of romance there....wasn't expecting that.

I have a Tessa Bailey book for today...Unfortunately Yours.  They are "more" than a bit spicy.  And that's what I want for today.  Sam if you are reading this- this is an author for you to look for....... Just short of raunchy with a nice touch of sweetness. I enjoyed Chase Me, Fix Her Up and Wreck the Halls. 

I have three more on the wait list.  

I found some needle turn appliqué in the Office....I carried it out here to the COUCH.  I might finish them. I am still MISSING the the blue on tan appliqué.....many many years of work on the blocks and the hand turned sawtooth edging....all gone walkabout.  I would really like to know where that is.

The one I found is flowers of a gorgeous red and pink combo on cream on cream cotton.  I have the paper designs and the thread etc. Two started and two outlined in pencil. I have the hand drawn patterns in with the other stuff and unused fabrics.  Usually taped the pattern to a kitchen window and then taped the fabric over the paper and traced with pencil.... easy enough to do that way - no light box.

I found the work just before going to bed- I was in the office looking for something else......and then  before falling asleep I was thinking about the project I found and the one that is lost.....but no overnight suggestions of where the tan and blue one is located. Now that all my stuff has been boxed and moved- not by me--it will take me quite awhile to find anything...so I was happy to find at least one project. And I can actually finish it. If my son or daughter remembers where the batting is located.

Winter Notes- Saturday, February 17th. Partly sunny with 32 degrees

 Water Lily.   There was shoveling (snow overnight) prior to grocery shopping yesterday....I already have things on next week's list...I hesitated to buy some things which I now need......but that is my fault and I will have to "make do" at breakfast time.  Meaning, I will have to cook...not just add milk to cereal.

I plan on baking two sweet potatoes for my dinner.  Yesterday, I didn't make any plans and so I snacked a lot...I don't want to repeat that.  The Hilarity of the new Trump Legal Opinion added to the snacking. It's like Jenga with his legal problems.    I didn't have a large bag of chips so......not as much fun with a cheese sandwich.....but close.  

Yesterday's Sudoko was a one off.....today I only got one number.  Nothing lets you know just how ordinary you are- as the daily Sudoko. (in the morning paper).

I am reading a dull book.... 66 pages in and still not a clue what the author is trying to do here.  This is where I usually jump ship.  How did this mess get published?  Spent bucks on the cover art. And it's about a bookstore which I generally like.....sigh....but the only interesting (slightly) was when we were at the Tire Store....before the Bookstore.

My desk calendar now has Two corner protectors.....I found one when looking for a package of Pencil Lead.  I knew I had one- the trick was finding it.....because I found my Mon Blanc Pencil Pen.  and want to use it before I loose it again...the other pen was a fountain pen- the fat Mont Blanc....it's lost.  A gift from husband that I had asked for.....I never got the hang of filling the fountain pen.  And now...after four movers have packed and unpacked our stuff....who knows where it is......actually, who knows where most of my stuff is.

Winter Notes- Friday February 16th. 27 degrees and fresh snow.

 Petunias.   I spent a few minutes cleaning out the picture file.  No pictures of snow.

I watched the the interrogation of the District Attorney charging Donald Trump....oh, my goodness. And then I watched a group of Black Women on MSNBC (why was this interrogation shown on tv????) tear the guy questioning her to bits......I enjoyed that part.

The women on MSNBC and I- were puzzled by the interrogator not understanding why a woman would keep CASH money in the house........gosh- in case some guy decided to beat one of us up...???? In case we need to run......quickly...to a safe place?   In case we were born women and not men?????

I'll let that dog ..lie.

Well, I am awake way too early.....my hair is a wild mess of white.....I haven't eaten breakfast........I didn't read yesterday as the house air is dry and made my eyes dry.....and to tell the truth....I was tired and didn't feel well.   At one point I even thought I had a fever.....but could not locate the thermometer....so don't know.

I found a new show to watch on regular tv....Tracker.  Nice looking man. Sad face.  I liked when he was rescuing the little boy who was chained to a truck bed......he explained how they were going to jump from the truck to the water way below and he was going to hold on to the boy until the man's arm or shoulder broke...... so....pretty honest and straightforward.  I set the Tivo to record the next two episodes. I do not watch much on regular tv- just PBS and Wheel of Fortune.

22 children and adults shot in Kansas City- news people mentioned they thought Taylor Swift would be in the parade. Instead a kid with a machine gun adapter on a hand gun......easy to buy in Kansas. legally.

Winter Notes- February 15th. 34 degrees in Maine with Sunshine.

 Sort of Tiger Lily......And perhaps that's what they are called.

Another chilly Sunshine Day here in Maine.  I just remembered to turn up the temp on the furnace... I turn them down at night to 60 degrees and then UP to 64 in the morning.....Yes, I do know that 64 isn't WARM. But it's what we have wool socks and sweaters for.......

I did a bit of clean up on the picture file just now....gotta do stuff when I remember it needs doing.

My eyes are getting itchy and swollen and red.  An allergy for sure. It happened yesterday as well, but the Benadryl helped.....I just took the tiny pink pill and it has stuck itself to the back of my throat....sigh. If it's not one thing it's another......My eyes feel like I have grit in them....very very dry.  the drops I use are lubricants....this is not a new thing....it's a dry air in the house thing.  I only go outside  the house on Friday to the Library and Grocery Store....otherwise I am in the house......with itchy dry eyes.

Cutting down on my reading also...so I ended up watching the mess in Kansas City.  Open Carry state so no metal detectors or anything- come on down and bring your guns!!!!!  I am going to watch MSNBC as Son has gone out to LUNCH......I am free to watch NEWS... well, listen as my eyes are going to enjoy a cold wet towel...

Winter Notes- Wednesday, February 14th. Valentines Day.

 Sending all of you reading this- a beautiful Valentine  ROSE.

We didn't get the New York snow.  We didn't get any snow.  Streets and sidewalks still clear and dry. Weird how that happens isn't it.....The guy next door does weather patterns for a living....computer stuff. It must be fascinating to see how nothing is what it was......... when Maine is snow free and New York has snow.

It's 9 am and I have been awake for awhile already.... I think I have finally gotten caught up on the sleep I missed while husband was falling in the bathroom at 2 am.....the hospital bed with the rails was such a wonderful thing......but too late... we should have gotten the hospital bed so much earlier.

Anyway.   Valentine's Day.  I didn't send cards...I wasn't up to it....but I think I will be next year for sure. I wanted to send them but........I just couldn't do it.  Perhaps I will do Easter cards.

I am reading my way thru Tessa Bailey's books.  Just finished a re-read of Fix Her Up.  No clue as to what I will read today.  I have been reading a book a day.  It's sort of like taking a tranquilizer. Keeps me occupied and not thinking about things I really don't need to think about any more. What's done is done. We did our best.....that's all we could do.

My cough is back......I had though it had run it's course and I was done with it....I think it's the dry air in the house....but who knows.....it's just an annoying little cough that once in awhile becomes a two minute coughing event.....I blame dry house air.  I will try and choke down a Musinex.  See if it gets anything loose..  No fever, ......just an annoying dry cough.

Have a lovely day today...all of you....

Winter Notes- Tuesday. February 13th. Cloudy...but no snow.....

 Not my favorite class to teach but I did love making terrariums.  Especially when the Mothership Greenhouse sent us wonderful glass containers (not often).  These are quite lovely. With lids to hold in the moisture.  This is the part of my old greenhouse job that I really miss...making things for customers to give as gifts.....and the occasional phone call to tell me how much their mother or grandmother or aunt LOVED the gift.  That meant everything to me. I had made someone that happy. On a holiday.

Our two potted Amaryllis bulbs are growing- Son's plant is about ready to open and have flowers...Mine is a week or two behind which is actually a great thing as the flowering will cover more days..... our neighbor across the street gave the bulbs to us as a Christmas gift....ours are the last to blossom.......

It hasn't snowed. 34 degrees and 54% humidity.  The lawn is half snow covered (old snow) and half green grass. The walks and drive are clear and dry.  Sort of like the green and white combo of the image up top.  I always tried to have extra moss on hand when we did terrariums.... I would collect in in the Perennial yard- scrapping it off rocks....

I toasted one of the cinnamon raisin bagels yesterday and had it with cream cheese.  So delicious. Looking forward to doing it again.  Haven't started the third book by Tessa Bailey. But will in a few minutes.

I didn't have the soup yesterday....I had a slice of Super Bowl Pizza and later  I peeled and sliced my last apple and microwaved it with butter and sugar--it was very very good.  I watched quite a bit of Law and Order...they have circled back and are now showing the old ones again...I sort of like them....like a nice old well worn sweater.  I have on a fresh sweater today....red.  

Winter Notes- Monday, February 12th. 35 degrees with Sunshine

 I have plans (future plans) to try and get the transfer of photos from iPhone to this desktop...but it hasn't worked so far.   But I keep thinking it will......isn't that the definition of something??????

Super Bowl.  Gosh, it was exactly as CRAPPY as I remembered it being.  Not the game- but all the shiny crap that passes for entertainment these days.  A few of the commercials were fun.  California boy was very sad with the final score.  I, personally, do not enjoy the overtime thing.....ever.  And I have had as much Swifty as I can stomach.  All that enthusiasm when ever the camera was on them.

Our Super Bowl Pizza was wonderful as usual.  During halftime I watched the crime show on PBS. Previous to the game I was reading my book.  I intend to finish reading the book after i het publish.  I got a taste of what is on MSNBC this morning and I 'm going to skip it.  Law and Order is on today...so I am going to be watching that.  I don't like Bones- I did once but now it seems rather blah.  So I have to wait out the days until Law and Order is on again.

I have some left over soup to eat for luncheon.  I have this very smutty book to finish reading.  I don't have any bills to pay - mail hasn't come as yet....... My hair is completely out of control today and look like a Mad Woman.....even looking at myself in the mirror......I need a hair intervention.  Nothing More to Write.

Winter Notes- Sunday, February 11th- 38 degrees 86% humidity and very little sun.

 Postcards from Provence.

I had nothing in the file as beautiful as yesterday's flowers.  But a glass of wine...sounds like something I will try and pour for myself later today.

The Second of four Jane Austen Hallmark efforts yesterday.  I don't actually know how or why the producers of this movie thought it was Jane Austin- except for the actress dressed up "like Jane"...but okay.  Not their best effort and I found myself sorting art supplies in the tray next to where I sit and read books.  Found two pairs of the tiny embroidery scissors that I thought I had lost- one in the shape of a bird.  Lovely to find them again.  And hopefully use them.  I also found a mostly unused glue stick.

I have NOT found a project yet......not found anything I actually want to start or finish.

What has happened here is a sort of low spot....I had expected it earlier but it's here now....A lack of interest in things....a sort of drifting..........settling into what my Life is now and will be going forward. Ending all the 24/7 caregiving...and then the sorting of stuff with Son moving in......and then the Winter power outages ....I had so much going on that I didn't have Time for this to happen earlier.  But it's here now....and I need to work thru it... dig myself out of it.

Football Pizza today...looking forward to the game later... Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop turned out to be a DUD in the first 6 pages.....I always enjoy a Bookstore themed book- not this one. Going directly into the book bag to be returned..... I'll have to see what else I have in the pile.

I rearranged the fridge....I had purchased two prepared soups for this week. And they got lost behind the the yogurt tub.....and yes, my Wendy's junior bacon cheeseburger was delicious as were the fries- after a bit of a warm up in the toaster oven.   Well, I should get my oatmeal started and read the Sunday paper....

Winter Notes- Saturday February 10th. 43 degrees now- but could get warmer.

 I would be thrilled to have these flowers here in the house.  I have been looking at the grocery store bouquets on Shopping Day.... and decided just now...to buy one on the next Shopping Day.

Treat myself.  And if I was saying this to my late husband- he would go out and buy me one. That's the way he was.... was.

The sunshine outside looks WARM but I know it really isn't as there is still snow on the grassy areas. My neighbor has gone to Boston for a grandchild's birthday party... returning tomorrow.  My Lunch Buddy is waiting to see if she and husband get COVID from grandson......even with the shots...they have gotten it before...and it lasted a few weeks.

So. I had said something about February being Jane Austin and I guess Hallmark got the message. They are having a Jane Austen Hallmark Movie each week.  The first one was a bit (well more than a bit) lame.  This second one might have a bit more promise.....I'll know this evening. I believe there are four.

When the idea of the Jane Austen stuff came up.....I had ordered a few things on library loan- By the Book arrived and I was surprised by it....having forgotten  etc..... Julia Sonneborn.  I read it once before.  Parts are tedious but since I have read it before-- 362 pages-- I can bypass them knowing they have little to do with the plot.  I also have Jane Austen like things in my bookcase...... I have Jane and Edward, Jane in Love, Eligible (really good fun), Longbourne, The Other Bennet Sister (which was very good).  And whatever surprises arrive from interlibrary loan. So, I am fulfilling my promised plan. I also have the three novels using Austen to tell a modern story about a family from India.  I love two of them.

I am thinking about peeling and cutting up my last apple and putting  it into the microwave to "bake" and then eating it with butter and cinnamon.  I have one bowl of soup left to finish off.  I didn't actually buy anything for dinner....this week (not a clue what I was thinking as I shopped).  So, I will be cooking. Possibly in the Air Fryer.  I think we have chicken in the freezer already to go into the air fryer.  And there is always my fall back position- Kraft Mac and Cheese.  My second fall back is rice with peas.  But while I have lots of rice I do not have peas in the freezer.....I do have stir fry vegetables....

Whatever happens, I have food.  Peanut butter, Bagels, Kraft, cans of Baked Beans, two more sweet potatoes and football pizza tomorrow.  Let the good times roll........ San Francisco.  

Winter Notes- Was sunny and is now cloudy. 38 degrees and 88% humidity.

 Tjustske Kemphius  the last image I have here, I think.

Well, It was sunny when we went out and now it's cloudy.  We did the Library and the Shopping. I didn't get ice cream sandwiches because none were lactose free.  I also didn't get any new yogurt as I have three in the fridge- which I didn't eat last week.  I did eat 3 of the four pears.  And two of the three oranges.

I didn't buy bread--I selected Cinnamon Raisin Bagels....I have a block of cream cheese...next to the pound of butter.  I will be content with that....the hot dogs were a delight but not the best choice for a meal.

I counted 24 white cars in the passing lanes as we drove home. In 10 or 15 minutes.

Son and I stopped to talk to a former Library co-worker... Carol was born on Groundhog Day...she said she was 101.  I remember when she was in her 80's.  I selected nine books at the library-  three of those on the hold shelf.....then I sat down and had a cup of Free Friday Coffee and watched the tiny children pushing their tiny shopping carts around the Lobby.  Having escaped the Children's Section.  Gosh they were adorable.

Life is slowing down...long periods of nothing and then a bit of something..... like those speeding tiny tots.  I have to find new things to fill the "spaces"...........I have to transition back to "normal".   I wasn't normal for years and years.  so...it's difficult figuring things out... knowing what normal looks like at 77.

Any suggestions?

Winter Notes- Thursday, February 8th Sunshine and 40 degrees

 Postcard from Provence

Perhaps been here before but-....still very nice.

Sunshine today...the lawns are still covered in snow...sidewalks are clear.  I could put on the no slip shoes and go for a walk...in the big heavy black wool coat.....but--I am actually not interested in much of anything this week.  Low tide Emotionally.

I finished reading Love Me Do....British gal visiting her sister in Los Angeles... Lindsey Kelk.

I have two books still unread and both are ones I have read before and actually do not want to read this week.  So I was looking thru the bookcase of books I own for something.... Hallmark has been disappointing.....MSNBC has no Nicole anymore so not interested........ BBC and WE have stopped showing Law and Order (one day for each week) and sometimes the same day....piss on it.

Agnes and the Hitman might do to pull me out of my funk- but then I will want pancakes and bacon....... what Agnes served the Hitman....for breakfast.  Yes..I might read that one again.

Wrote checks for the two bills I had on the Breakfast Table.  Added to the brown paper Shredding Bag- I actually found clear garbage bags (grocery) to put the shredded paper into....our garbage people want shredded paper in a clear bag......before finding them I was topping off the compost bins with shredded paper...especially at Tax Time when I went thru all the saved receipts. Never knowing what I might be needing...I save it all. I have a feeling I wrote all this  (exactly) a few days ago????

See this is my Life now- nothing happens and when something briefly interesting- clear plastic bags--happens..I talk about and write about it until something else happens.....like what?????? so boring.

Son made Pad Thai for lunch today...finished eating and found the small packet of peanuts. Will have them for snack. He will...not me.  I am just finishing up breakfast...and having one of my pears.  Trying to eat the fruit I bought last shopping trip.  One more pear and an orange left to eat.

I am not coughing as much and when I begin...I use my rescue inhaler and stop... I am having trouble swallowing big pills so might need to find the little plastic thing I got husband to cut his pills in half. Like a little guillotine. well, I have bored myself into wanting a nap.....

As you can read......I am bored..so very very bored- mostly with myself......nothing is sparking any sort of JOY.  Sigh. Well.....got to get on doing something....anything.....sigh.

Still Wednesday the 7th. Joan in California.

 Hey, Joan in California--the purple fabric sender!!!!!!  Gosh I have wanted to reconnect with you.  Still enjoying the purples......... My Son brought all the small quilted things I made for him (over 30 years) with him- and I marvel at the work I used to do........and should be doing yet again......

It's on the list of things to do...I just need a SPARK to get me going....A SPARK to get me interested in Life again.  Caregiving takes a huge TOLL....recovering is hard work.

Winter Notes- Sunshine and 33 degrees in Coastal Maine.

 Last of the trees.   Tjutske Kemphis 

I actually WANT to go back to putting my own drawings here....the ancient iPhone has issues with sending stuff...  And you all should know by now that I WILL absolutely have to be dragged screaming to anything "new".  I hate the transition period.  So MUCH. And I hardly ever use the iPhone for anything like phone calls.  I hardly ever use the house phones.....I just realized that.

Finally saw the charges for Hospice.  Money well spent.

I finished off the hotdogs yesterday...and discovered low salt potato chips in the way up high cupboard. And realized they were MINE.....so I had a very small bowl of chips.  I had been missing chips. I don't need to be eating salt.....so...a small bowl. Might have a bowl of soup today....

We have reached the "tipping point" of having no more to get rid of...I am taking 5 or 6 Word Search books to the Library every week...Taking 50 at one time is...a really bad idea.  There are quite a lot of them...  I find that I cannot do them....I used to be able to see the words...now I can't.  Or don't want to. I do try a Sudoko puzzle every day in the morning paper....I got 5 numbers today.

I hardly coughed yesterday...getting over what ever this is.

My Lunch Buddy is on "house arrest" as her grandson has COVID yet AGAIN. His doctor said lots of  children (high school) are coming in with COVID AND the FLU right now.  So..we don't develop immunity.  Interesting..  So annual COVID shots.., I guess???

Winter Notes- Tuesday, February 6th. Sunshine and 31 degrees.

 I forgot to make a note of the artist making these Trees but they arrived via Somethings blog so you can find the name there....I am usually better at this....sorry.  I tend to get the "good stuff" from Something's Blog.

Always have and always will....she has a really good eye for beautiful images.

Another good night's sleep.  It feels like a gift.  The best kind of gift.

I have no plans for today.  Zero.  Not even a load of laundry......... I realized, yesterday, that I had read the book I am reading and wasn't that involved in it the first time.  So......on to something else.

The Garbage Truck came and picked up what we put out last night...not much anymore.  We seem to have reached our level of what we are keeping....done letting go.  Well, there is stuff we are still considering .... I think we will be considering things until October.

Mentioned I had wanted to buy a new couch....no takers.  These old ones are still quite comfy and I COULD drag out the slipcovers..... could--but hardly think I will.  I do like the white ones in summer.

That's about it for today...Not much happening....Hallmark Movies and Books to read.... Haven't done much MSNBC.  Did get in a few Law and Order episodes.....they have started from the beginning again. Big Hair and Wide Shoulders.....  nothing much to write about....have not cooked anything since I made soup.........hot dogs again today.  Microwave...... it's relaxing not to have emergencies every so often all day long.........relaxing.

Winter Notes- Monday, February 5th. Sunshine and 28 degrees

 I thought I had a plan for the Honda Fit..but the garage is no longer AAA and no longer has a truck to haul cars.  So they said they couldn't help me.  But they had tires and batteries etc.......

Well, back to the drawing board.

I finished Tom Lake.  It was like a long, satisfying walk......left me wanting cherries.

Today....I have no plans...we have plenty of quick food- leftover pizza from yesterday- No Football Pizza which was possibly the best one we have made on all of these Sundays.......and I have hot dogs... we've both done wash....no paper today and perhaps no bills????  

We have these things we do.....and it forms a sort of backbone for the week. Structure.  Which we both seem to need.

I have a Sophie Kinsella book but have a feeling it's one I read and didn't really like very much.  A woman wakes up with amnesia,  I think it turns dark.

I may just pick another for today. A "fluffier" book.

I have a cup of sharpened colored pencils by my placemat on the dining room table.  I will sort out some paper today....in case the mood strikes me to scribble and draw and color.  Art.  I had cloth and thread and needles but.....it never sparked....I don't know why....I have a half finished thing somewhere but I think I stopped because I couldn't find cloth for the next round of borders......I looked and looked but the fabric I wanted- didn't exist.  There was some near the center.....sigh.  It's damned annoying when that happens.

I still have the strips of cloth I sewed together so I could make carrot shapes and hand appliqué them to a brown flecked cloth (dirt)....but I still haven't done that either.  I just need to find something ELSE that sparks Joy.  Because once I start sewing- I really enjoy doing it.

Winter Notes- Bright sunshine here in Maine and 28 degrees- Reading Tom Lake.

 You all know I can't pass up a photo of French Onion Soup.  This was in my morning mail. Yummy.

Tom Lake.  A 7 day book from the library Best Sellers bookcase.  Not what I thought it would be. But I like it.  It's not a page turner though.  Slow going.  Rarely does a book take me two full days.

I tucked a few of Husband's unused Word Search books into my Library Bag- I leave them on the Exchange Window Sill at the Library. Next to the Take One Magazine Rack where people drop off magazines..... and near the Library Doesn't Want These Books Anymore rolling cart.  I would always get a book or two when they were disposing of Fiction.....not so much with Non-Fiction.

I watched MSNBC for awhile last evening..... disturbing...very disturbing.  I recall reading something regarding this area of the world......... how civilization ends or something.  I can't recall it exactly but it seems to be heading that way.  again.

I baked two of my sweet potatoes yesterday, late afternoon- while reading.....I ate both with butter and slivers of cheese melting into the potatoes.  Delicious.  It's possibly my favorite supper these days.

I watched the first of the Jane Austen Style Movies on Hallmark last evening.  It was okay.  There are two more I think- perhaps four but I can't find a fourth one.   It makes me want to read the Beauty Queen rom com which has a "Mr Darcy" as one of the judges.... I really liked that book.  But I must push ahead with Tom Lake before Library Day.  (when ever that is as we are off schedule here....)

Winter Notes- Saturday, February 3rd. Bright Sunshine and 28 degrees.

 Pears and Pomegranate  from Postcards from Provence.

The pears I selected at the grocery store have a greenish brown skin.  They never have red skinned pears. I like to have fruit available for snack....oranges or pears.  Bananas give me reflux for some reason. And red grapefruit- my favorite- negated the statin I take...but it's the tiniest statin- tiniest pill.  Husband's was as large as my vitamin.

I worked on my desk top calendar yesterday- added a picture of an human heart- the interior.  watch something on tv about Little Richard....very sad- how can people with such glorious gifts be sad?  But they are......

I am back to am and pm Musinex.... to see if that makes all this coughing stop.  I am tired of coughing and wetting my pants.....Old Woman Syndrome.

There is a recipe for a Chocolate Bundt Cake in my Food Email.   Do I or Don't I want to make it????? Do I or don't I want see the recipe????  some recipes are so complicated that my eyes glaze over and...just no.

I did a load of wash after my shower.  All the worn threadbare green cord pants....so I put on a pair of husband's pants...I doubt he ever wore these..."expanding" waist and a bit short for me.  But fits my butt.  As I sit here the pants seem to be relaxing even more.  Wow.  Strangely fascinating.

I am easily fascinated these days....elastic waist pants... who knew?

Winter Notes- 40 degrees and cloudy- surprised by invitation to have breakfast out.

 Postcards from Provence.  

My vase of choice for flowers is always a canning jar.

Yes, we went out for breakfast.   I had two eggs over easy with bacon and toast.  So very delicious. I almost swooned over the salty fatty bacon.  It's been forever since I had any.

Then the Library and I got five new to me books.  Then the grocery store. I got four pears- at least one will be a model for a drawing today or some day this week.  I sorted all husband's colored pencils...I have some in a glass jar....will see which ones I like.  I won't be using any of the colored ink pens....He liked those and has many sets of them....but not my choice of coloring tool.

We also stopped in at the local Bookstore, but I didn't have my list with me....Next week. I did find a new to me book on the one shelf dedicated to romance.  Which is new...

I'm re-reading a new favorite today... Chef's Choice.  It's a love letter to the trans community.

The vacuuming was not as bad as I had imagined it would be. I slept a lot last night... from 10pm to 10am. and I am feeling good.  I don't have any housekeeping to do.....it's like a "vacation day"  so I will just read the paper, finish my tea and make a second cup.......drift....into something else or a book.  I did watch a new to be Hallmark Movie yesterday and it was okay......not great but okay.

Winter Notes- Thursday, February First. I had to check what year it is........

 I know that line up top worries some of you--it worries me as well.  I had to check the newspaper to see what YEAR it is.  My January Desk Calendar needed a few (a lot) of spaces filled before I could drag out the February one.....I decided I would list books I read on the lines on the bottom....where I guess a person would be writing things.....a person who is not me. A person who has things to do.

I could always run for President... I'm over seventy. Forgetful.

Cornbread as been something I have wanted to bake........well, I guess for three years.  

I thought about my husband's dementia and I think three years.....I read something in the newspaper this morning about dementia...that a person could be unable to read but could still drive a car......that it's like missing puzzle pieces and you can still identify the image of the puzzle.  Like the Cornbread image.

I am struggling.......I feel unemployed as I am no longer on 24/7 duty.

My intention for today is to drag out the hose for the central vac system.... floors are dusty.  It's a bit of a HAUL doing this as the hose tends to get twisted up etc...so it will be a real workout and I might have to take rest breaks. (definitely rest breaks)

Today is February first and I was going to have a Reading Project....Jane Austen I think...but I am NOT up for it. A Great Idea for another February I think.  I did no forward planning.

I do hardly ANY planning.. The Weekly Grocery Shopping always takes me by Surprise. And I have to scribble something on the list.  Hot Dogs last week.  And I made soup.

My Son came in from the mailbox by the road to say "I expect to find new to me things in the mailbox- yours-..but today I was surprised to find a bottle of mouth wash"   I smiled.....I said Peggy knew I needed mouthwash in October and then with Hospice didn't want to bring it over....so she wrote me an email a few days ago to ask if I still wanted it....I said yes....  she also tucks all her catalogs into the mail box because she knows I like to look at them.....when she travels, I collect her mail and packages....water her plants.  Neighbor Stuff.  My husband used to walk her dog.  They both cried when the dog died.

I still have my cough....but no, absolutely no...congestion in my chest.  No fever.  No headache.  Nothing but a cough and clear see thru phlegm.  It might just be House Air....the house being closed up with the heat on.... dust because I haven't vacuumed........sigh.  Three years.  I have neglected the house and myself for possibly three years.....no wonder I am feeling so empty.