Daily Notes on Wednesday the 13th of November. In the 40's but Sunshine.

 Marcella Hazans Bolognese.....

Well, fewer and fewer people are reading these words (that I write) and I wonder...should I just stop.????

Yesterday Daughter was working in the garage- we found 6 unopened large gallon sized bottles of Round Up. Husband must have forgotten he already bought some....bought more.....never used any of it..

So the memory loss goes further back...he wasn't shopping the last few years (because he got lost driving). We have to wait for Spring when the Town Hazardous Waste Department Opens.  Drop off all the dangerous products he had on the garage shelving. Quite a bit.

Daughter kept asking if I wanted any of it....I never used pesticides.....there are better natural ways to discourage pests from your gardens......I taught classes about those ways.  Little did I know my husband was...well, it's past now. He's gone.

Yesterday daughter drove me to the Greenhouse where I worked.....I wanted Paperwhite bulbs to set on stones in a glass jar.... watch them grow and make little white flowers... we got very lucky...almost everyone I had worked with was working.....I got to visit and chat and get hugged. One of the young guys was making hot chocolate for everyone....I always get sad when I visit and see all my old friends...and recall the happy days of working there....have tears in my eyes typing this.

We stopped at the bookstore and I found 8 books and a 2025 wall calendar....so a good time.

When we got home my daughter alphabetized by bookcase. It was interesting to watch her method. She just put the books in piles on the floor by alphabet and then into the bookcase...easy.  I'm not sure I would have thought of that....perhaps years ago but not now.

Well, that's it for now...I enjoyed seeing my old co-workers and getting hugged and hugging them...it was a VERY GOOD DAY....now to see if the crack in the big glass jar leaks water........yes, it has a crack.

Another Tuesday- the Sun is shining.and it's 50 degrees here in Maine.

Okay....I had some difficulty getting here today....I worked in a greenhouse that looked like this for Ten Years. I was rather frustrated with my fellow employees for quite awhile and they felt the same about me. Eventually...it all settled down.  I was a hard worker...I did the heavy lifting....rarely complained  

In that environment.....that's important.  Doing the heavy lifting. I went home caked in dirt every single day. 

Daughter (personal assistant) has started in on the garage today.  The Sun is out but is not all that warm.

We are making another trip to Goodwill today....and then the Greenhouse to buy Paperwhite bulbs.... I want to start some for winter... in a glass vase. A large rectangular glass vase.  Like the old days. Something familiar that I lost contact with years ago......I went looking for it- my husband had a habit of keeping his own things and throwing mine away.  Now we are packing up his things.

That says something about our relationship doesn't it. It might tell you everything you need to know. 

(I found the rectangular glass container on the Sunporch Shelving.)

There is a vast empty place in my Life Trajectory.  Retiring from the Greenhouse left an open spot that I didn't even try to fill.  And then husband filled it with his needs. And now.......I need to fill it with my own wants and needs.  Perhaps for the first time.....I won't be doing things for someone else.

Just back from the garage: daughter is cleaning out the POISON Shelving...my husband loved Round Up even after it was pointed out to him that Round Up causes cancer in humans and animals- like our DOGS. Maybe 6 large containers of it....unopened thankfully.  We did break a very large glass item that was scheduled -years ago- to be a very nice Terrarium for me. Or Dish Garden.  Neither is of interest to me at my age.

The Sun was out and it was warmish but now it's cloudy and there is a chill.  

We are going out later....daughter and I.....and we will stop at a bookstore.  I need a wall calendar for 2025. Something pretty...

 

Daily Notes for Monday, November 11th. Sunshine and 55 degrees. Rain last night.

 Image of someone's dog.  If it's yours let me know and I will identify it as yours.  He has his toys. My big Lab had a large collection of toys...some of them are in my closet- I see them when I go looking for something. Mostly rabbits and squirrels.  His favorites. Heavily mended. I pat them just before closing the door.

It's sunny but chilly and I am guessing it rained overnight.  Daughter is coming over to help load up the Goodwill things and take them to the donation site.  I might or might NOT go with her.  I am being encouraged to get out more.  Do things. She said they have "books".......I would go but I get tired fast and there is no where to sit down at Goodwill (and she likes to browse).  One of the reasons I don't take a walk...starting out I am fine but what if I am not....on the way back? No where to sit.

I am trying to think of something to say when they ask me if there is something I want to do. Or someplace I want to go.........husband and I went no where in the last years of his Life, other than doctor appointments.  I had him remain in the car for Library and Grocery.  Easier than trying to find him. 

Yesterday I moved a few things after my Son vacuumed....and accidentally found the box containing the pieces of a quilt I was making...the one I may have written about...I found it.  Not sure I like it as much as I thought I did........laughing....absence does make the heart grow fonder. (is that spelled right).

Yesterday's pizza was quite the best one yet....I say that every Sunday.

No newspaper today....I realized the daily pills I take are either vitamins or a Tylenol.  Only one is a prescription..the smallest size of a Statin.   So...no Medical Conditions.  Just OLD.

A newspaper cartoon " in order to be happy you need three things.......Something to do...something to love ...and something to hope for."

November 10th...sunshine and 47 degrees

 The only words traveling with this image - "albert2"

Here in Maine we hardly see anything like this. 

Well, until Football Time I have the choice of........reading, sitting, vacuuming.... and at 4 pm- PIZZA

I've eaten breakfast, read the paper and filled in TWO boxes on the Sunday Sudoko.  No Formula One Racing today.  Just Football.  Sigh.

We noticed a small black mouse near the wall behind the tv yesterday...Our attempt to catch him didn't work...so he's still in the house....he/she didn't look real healthy. But could still outrun us.

Son put the driveway edge marking sticks out.....so the plow guy knows where the driveway is.  It curves so it's not the standard straight to the garage type. I am not sure I will be allowed to shovel the sidewalks- my usual participation in Winter Snow Shoveling.  I also used to shovel the plow mess left at the end of the driveway.  I scooped and shoved it across the road into my neighbor's lawn/ditch.  New neighbors now. Might not like it.  Old neighbor was fine with it.

My daughter came over yesterday and gave me an armload of short sleeved white cotton tee shirts .. brand new...she said she was working on "not hoarding" stuff....I am guessing stuff she bought and then never wore....I can understand that feeling.  But I like the white short sleeved tees...the ones I have now have gotten really old and look old.....so fresh white ones---I'm Very Happy I Could Help Her With This New Start. 

Getting rid of things is really difficult for us....we get attached and don't let go...case in point my red cardigan that is more Patch than Original Sweater.  I try NOT to wear it outside the house. In Case People think I am homeless.  Well, that's it for today....Football and Pizza and then trying to record or watch Tracker this evening.  With football running late- everything after is also late....

Saturday, November 9th. Sunshine and 42 degrees here in Maine. Farewell to 60 degrees

 This is titled Wild Raspberry Leaves. (I don't get it)-- I had to stop typing and turn up the furnace temp.

I've eaten my oatmeal and read the paper and gotten four numbers in the Daily Sudoko puzzle in the newspaper.  We are moving toward ranked choice in one election spot.  There are times when I think the sides here are not that close but then we go to ranked choice and it seems like we are evenly divided.

I am reading an old favorite- Jennifer Crusie's Fast Women.  Perry Mason meets that HBO series of office men.  I can't recall the name. (Mad Men)  The women are getting ready to rescue the "Little Faking Dog". This book never lets me down. I gave up on the other book.  

I had by Chunky Potato Soup yesterday.  Salty.  I used to loved salty things...now, I don't.

Dentist next month- one of my molars feels funny.  I think when we get old our teeth get old and give up.

The spray my hairdresser sold me...is working.  I spray and comb and ZERO POOF. Hair stays nice: as flat as I want it.  I don't like looking like an old woman with a big white cotton ball on her head.  Sigh, because I lost patience with the long wild curly mess which needed only a rubber band. Now POOF.

Because I went to the library yesterday- TODAY they notified me that books I ordered have arrived.

In Maine Harris got 52% and Trump 45%.  So I am feeling better about the election in Maine. We did OUR part....others did not.

Okay, today..what am I doing today?  There are some Saturday Cooking Shows I like to watch (even though I no longer cook)... I have my book to read....I already made my bed......I could drag out the Central Vac......floors are dusty. Not enough in the laundry basket for a load of wash....I could always peel and chop and make a pot of Vegetable Soup with Beans.....I could also pan fry some frozen dumplings and eat those.  Son is taking his morning shower...so I can't run water and wash my breakfast bowl.  I think I will go find my red sweater and put it on.....a bit chilly in the house (temp is set at 64).  Why we have sweaters.

My library didn't have the Deaver book that the TV show series Tracker is based on..so I ordered it from another library.  I had also ordered- (when the show first aired)- the book another TV series was based on...(it's no longer on tv). I can't recall the lead character's name...but in the books he was  six foot four and could lift a car....the actor they hired was five foot seven (on a good day) and had trouble opening doors..and he wore the same brown suit in every single episode.  Karen Slaughter was the author. I felt at the time...she must have been embarrassed by the choice of actor for tv.

Son bought postage stamps yesterday......and then some group wanting me to send them money sent me address labels...so now my Bill Paying will be energized by fresh new colorful stamps and address labels.

Not that paying bills and writing checks is my FAVORITE THING.....it is NOT.

Daily Notes for November the 8th.

I'm tired of trying to get this edge over to the left.  Somedays it's just not worth the effort.

I asked a question (son) and I guess I had forgotten I had already asked... now I have "memory loss".

I think it's easier to deal with older people if you just put them in a "category".

Not my best day...I am actually quite tired.  My sleep was okay but I woke up feeling like I wanted to sleep longer...so I might start going to bed earlier.  See if that helps.  I did select a large number of books for the week, mostly ones I have read before and enjoyed..  I ran out yesterday...I had read everything I had checked out... a few I ordered haven't arrived as yet.  But I'll have a head start next Friday.

The New Books shelving was pretty bare.  So I wandered the stacks and.....found an entire bag full of books for the week. I plan to do a bit of appliqué as well this week...Pretend the dog is sleeping next to me (Law and Order?)

I continue to NOT watch or listen to any news...this morning I didn't read any of it in the newspaper. I went directly to the tv listings and the Sudoko (did not do well).

That's it for today...excuse the borders.

I have to go "eat something" --obviously I am starving to death.

 

Daily Notes- Thursday, November 7th. Seriously considering a move to Canada.

 This is what I think America looks like.  

So....I am sitting here wondering if my neighbors on the street where I live- voted for him. If they did, can I still live here.  I know Maine runs Republican...always has. And not the Margaret Chase Smith kind of Republican.  The other kind.  He lied to them last time...he didn't make America great...he made us a JOKE.  A very very bad joke.  And now he can fill the rest of his bathrooms with top secret documents...

My oatmeal is getting cold.  While I sit here with you. Tears in my eyes.

I mended the collar of one of my son's fancy outdoor jackets yesterday.  Very enjoyable process. Took my mind off things. I need to find something for today...to keep me occupied.  I've run out of books. Library visit tomorrow.

He suggested I ACTUALLY learn how to play bridge...so I would be asked to sit in when I enter one of the Senior Living Spaces.  I try and understand the Bridge bidding thing in the daily newspaper.  I think it's similar to bidding in Poker.  Lies, clues and fakery.

I said I would rather move to Canada.  He said I would like it...he lived there for a few years and really liked it..reminded him of our six years living in Europe.  I could do that also- Europe.

Well, my blood sugar is low and I need to eat my oatmeal (reheat it first) and read everything BUT the first section of the paper and try the Sudoko....take my vitamins.......reheat my tea or better yet- make some instant coffee......I moved things around in the sewing room yesterday....not that anyone would notice any difference.  And I plugged in the iron and ironed something..I also did laundry and changed the sheets on my bed......I might vacuum today.   I have a can of Campbell's Chunky Soup for later.

Wednesday, November 6th. Day of Infamy.

I have nothing to say here...absolutely nothing.  Well, I do wonder what is wrong with the people.

November 5th Notes- Haircut...57 degrees and cloudy.

 Something dark and mysterious.  Like Voting. I will worry all day and into the night... they say they might not know until morning.

I got up and stripped my bed and need to get the sheets in the washer....then make the bed with fresh sheets.  I had an appointment to get my hair cut.  Less poofy....

I now own "product" which will keep my hair "less" poofy.

We already voted.  I already voted.  He did not.

It's dismal outside.  I have on Winter Clothing..already. But my neck is chilly.  I think at my age I am having trouble keeping myself WARM.  Up to temp.  I seem to be running cold. I think a scarf around my neck would be a good idea........

I had one of the jars of my homemade FAKE ONION SOUP yesterday- my own creation.....it's salty and I did not add salt..  I think next bowl I will add some cooked pasta to it...perhaps soak up some of the salty.

I am enjoying Tracker....based on a Deaver book....I'll look for it..on line- my library HAD all the Deaver books (once upon a time) but might have tossed them all.  I'll look elsewhere.  They have the actor (good looking by my standards) walk in a straight line in every episode (at some point) wearing jeans and a white short sleeved tee shirt. He walks and walks....so we have enough time to look at him.  The point of the show, I am guessing. At the end he sits next to his Airstream and drinks beer out of the bottle.  Every week.  Count on it. I just finished reading the Lost Husband... there was one of that with the Goat Farmer. Walking around...and he had an Airstream....but that was the last five pages of the book.

Well, My neck is cold-- I need my black scarf......see you tomorrow.

Monday, November 4th. 37 degrees. Cloudy with a chance of Winter.

 Julian Yuslin-- Fibonacci-Blue Circles. I'd like to try this with hand applicated circles on a base fabric. Perhaps fabric circles from the Dye Deck of Deb Lacativa.  In Georgia.  And her divine thread. Which I hoard......rather than use...I know....I should use it. But it's so delightful to touch and sort and tuck away. Like treasure.  Yes...Treasure.

I can see frost on things outside the windows.  I turned up the furnace.  My Son says it's going to be in the 70's again in a day or two.  Crazy weather.  But anything other than snow and ice is WELCOME.

I watched nearly every televised football game yesterday plus the Formula One Race in the RAIN. Very Sporty New Joanne.  The Viking game was brutal, I think....I looked away a lot.

We also made a very very nice Sunday Football Pizza yesterday and it was delicious......best one yet. We both agreed on that.  I finished a book...The Lost Husband. Katherine Center.  One of her earliest books. Rom-Comers is her newest and is very good.  I have enjoyed all her books- some more than others.

I haven't selected a book for today as yet...Library or Book case... I am slightly more in the mood for bookcase today.  An old friend......read many times is always comforting.

Well, I'm hungry and I need to get my oatmeal in the microwave.....make some tea.  It's Monday so no newspaper......an unfinished sudoko from last week- several actually.  I need to turn on a few lights. I remembered to put on my socks......Hair cut tomorrow -- last cut lasted only 4 out of the six weeks so she needs to make it shorter tomorrow.  I already voted and am sick of the commercials on tv.  Of the pockmarked orange face.... want some lies with that????

Sunday, November 3rd. Frost over night and 32 degrees in Coastal Maine.

 Well, Frost and wool socks....must be getting close to Winter.

Son made meatloaf yesterday....the Joy of Cooking recipe.   Very delicious. He also roasted green beans.

I slept well.  I have on a wool sweater and wool socks.

Found a good home for the many Christmas Cactus. Most in bud but two in bloom.  The Library Plant Swap.  I will not be bringing any plants home.  And I might include the stands that the plants are situated on.  Not depressed......just moving on.  I have to remind myself to water them.  The plants are not a high priority.

Nothing much...other than the Friday visit to the Library for books...is a high priority for me. Oh, and the November 5th hair cut.....shorter....it's gotten very wild and poofy and I actually despise POOF.

Well, I have breakfast cereal (hot oatmeal) and the newspaper and then coffee or tea and my little dish of vitamins.  That's the only kind of pill I am taking......vitamins.  So...not a medical emergency if I forget.

Watched Tracker episodes  (mostly repeats) last evening.......can't figure out what's happening on regular ABC,CBS and NBC  these days.....programs switching times, days, repeating episodes  etc....Today is Football and Pizza.  That hasn't changed.......

Saturday, November 2nd. Sun is shining and it's back in the 40's (47)

 A photo by Annie Bank.

So.....the unseasonably warm weather has passed us by.....But 40's in November??? I'll take it. I have my winter sweater on.

The reason for the sweater is that....I am always cold.  No matter what the temperature outside or inside...I am cold. My hands have always been cold since birth...and they are still cold in old age.

Took a long survey from my bank this morning..... they had been sending them for the past few weeks and I had been ignoring them.....this morning I felt like answering.

My son is making meatloaf today- He has the Joy of Cooking book out- 4 inches thick.  Lots of Joy. I don't recall using a recipe for meatloaf........well, that's me not him.   He also preheats the oven. Again, that's him and not me.  

I made him very happy yesterday and had leftover Chinese food for lunch... Like, I actually ATE lunch.

Cold hands.  Lack of appetite.  Fatigue.  The lack of appetite leads to being dizzy from lack of food. I can't do much about the hands.....but I did eat yesterday and will be having a nice bowl of hot oatmeal after I hit send.  I checked the furnace...it's the temp I usually am comfortable and warm with...so it's me. Being cold.

Not much more to write...I enjoyed the final book of three on the Merry Meet Cute series by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone.....It's a Christmas Holiday series....three disreputable members of a rock band....and the women they meet in Christmas Notch while making dirty movies for the Hope Channel--- think Hallmark gone crazy......after dark.   I have said this before....it would work.

November Notes- Sunshine and 75 degrees here in Maine. Outrageous Weather. I don't mind at all.

 The photo deck is nearly empty. I think this one has been here before. Didn't get deleted.  I emptied the trash and deleted files yesterday.  Computer Housekeeping.

So...I voted yesterday...and while waiting for my son to come pick me up (he had gone to lunch), I watched people coming and going...I also watched the Election Workers empty the outside Ballot Box... It was PACKED FULL.  No one had set fire to the contents.  Which is a thing these days. Guess which candidate is being supported with burned ballots?????  Worried Much?

No Trick or Treaters...zero..so all the candy is mine. Twix.  Very delicious. New to me.

I have two items in the fridge I have been told are mine to eat....so I will be eating them. He's right to make that a priority.....I am not eating enough food.  I think it's because we don't eat at the same time....He eats on his schedule which isn't mine and I actually have no schedule. Zero Schedule. Winging it.

I am not the only one forgetting....he forgot we made Thanksgiving Dinner last year. We did and had leftovers for several days- and it was quite wonderful.  I personally don't recall making pie.  He can look up the posts for that week. to check that I am right.

Okay- I have lunch to eat (Chinese Leftovers).....then books or sports talk show....I am not watching Bones.  I am not watching Law and Order. I am not really watching much Hallmark.  I am watching recorded stuff off the Tivo from Public TV.  Series I recorded. Right now I am waiting for Complete Sherlock Holmes to begin and all of the Wolf Hall episodes before watching any. I finished Van derValk. I was looking for the books- but my library has ZERO.

I watched all the Tracker I had recorded.  And they changed the date and time for the show so that makes things more difficult....usually after a football game which runs late.