Daily Notes- Friday, April 4th. Sunshine and Springlike weather...for a day or two....

Small thing to sew.

The small thing I sewed was the back seam of the pants I have on.  I do need to secure the top button on my very heavy black wool coal....it's loose.

If I knew some small children-(not my own) , I might try the kit to make the tiny cat and the bunny.  Certainly the bunny if I was putting together an Easter Basket.  NOT the bird.....  I could make cat toys but not sure my daughter's cats play with this kind of toy.........I've seen photos of the cats.

I may have gotten enough food for the week for myself.....I have supplies to make vegetable soup and I also have bread and cheese for grilled cheese sandwiches.....( I have cans of baked beans to serve next to the sandwiches)  My son says I have pickles.

Sigh.I picked up my 3rd of three inhalers.  Then I guess I have to call the doctor's office and report in on whether the meds work or not.....I have stopped coughing.  Which might be as good as it gets.

I have nine books on the shelf to read.   I have a recipe for homemade shortbread cookies.  Son put back the pound of butter and selected the half pound...(2 sticks). the recipe calls for 1.5 sticks.  I just checked = there is one whole stick so I should be okay....going forward if I do make the cookies. I forgot, yet again, to see if the open vegetable area had rhubarb stalks.....I could email Patty and see if hers are ready.

I'll do that....well,  

Good Morning...It's Dismal, Dark and Wet here in Maine. 39 degrees and 98% Humidity.

 Isn't this image YUMMY?

Sticky Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream.  (microwaved dates). I have no dates.  Haven't had a date in decades.

Well, I am reading a book by an author I love so.....I didn't notice that it was a Young Adult Book.  I kept thinking we were doing the teen years and then moving to adult years...we are NOT,  Not sure I will continue reading.  Most of the parents are divorced or thinking about being divorced.  Teens have that effect on marriage.  Parents seem 100% hands off.....

I haven't looked out the back window yet to see how the daffodils are doing.  I keep hoping to see some yellow.  I'll check after hitting publish.

My lower right molar was not happy after the dental cleaning yesterday.....I am reluctant to make a statement that it's better today.....sometimes it's best to just ignore things and hope for the best...... (feels better)

Week is moving along very very slowly.....I was sort of hoping today was Friday.  Grocery Library Day. I am thinking of getting a Shingles Shot @ the Pharmacy......there was an article saying the Shingles vaccine had some positive side effects with Dementia.  Memory Loss....etc. Increasing memory.  I could use an increase most days. I did have one Shingles vaccination years ago...never got the second... Pharmacy has my records they can check......tomorrow.

I believe I have two British Soccer matches recorded.....And there is always Bones to watch on BBC. Public TV- after all the Fund Raising for 6 weeks-or it might have been 8 weeks- has nothing of interest. To me.  I went over to WORLD which is a much more evolved Public TV station (4 digit station)..I usually record 3 or 4 part series on interesting subjects.  And learn stuff.. WORLD also has some of the regular PBS stuff. But their news is more WORLD NEWS. ....and is much more interesting. 

I typed and deleted other stuff I wanted to say.....it's better that I do that.....

Wednesday, April 2nd. Dentist, Taxes, etc, That Orchid in the picture is real and was one of my houseplants for years.

 So much already done today and it's not even 12 noon.

I was not surprised that I OWE money on both State and Federal taxes....it's just me...I've lost husband's deduction.....that's Life and Death for you.  I just wish some other President's Agenda was getting my money.

I'm a bit hungry but want to enjoy my "smooth after the dentist" teeth for awhile before eating anything. We'll see how long that lasts...... I have this tiny brush thing I am supposed to shove between my teeth in two areas....sounds easy but the brush sometimes gets STUCK.....sigh.  Tight spacing. Anxiety.

Did I mention using my sewing machine?  Change of Topic soothes me a bit. 

I have a big button to sew on my heavy black wool coat......top button is loose.   Another Change of Topic.

The Sun is shining but it's cold....not hat and gloves cold but still.......and another storm is set on coming our way... could bring snow... meaning the daffodils which have rebounded after each snowfall- might just say "the hell with it" and give up.  I would if I was a daffodil........ Another Change of Topic.

I have the heat going.....and I might have a second breakfast or just wait...enjoy the smoothness of my freshly cleaned teeth for a bit longer.  Yet Another Change of Topic.

No one working at the dentist's office thinks my insurance will pay for today's visit.  But...at my age having my Original Teeth Cleaned and Polished is sort of a Victory.  I'm going to be happy about Original Teeth.  I'm only missing one and that should not have GONE....but we didn't have the insurance at the time to save it.

I need a nice nap right about now.  Have a nice day.....

Daily Notes- April Fools Day- and I woke up to NO SNOW!!!!!!!! It's all grass out there.

Dansk was offering me this today.

I would actually love to have the container and the flowers....right here.

And my Lawn Guy sent an email this morning asking if I wanted MULCH on my front garden beds...(which were rigorously weeded last Spring by Megan.....and are now bare dirt.).   I said YES!!!! I think Megan might have suggested mulch to him..  It's so Fun to type "My Lawn Guy".  I recall seeing that in books all the time- "I gotta guy...to do whatever".   I gotta guy...to cut grass and haul mulch.  Yippee.

I also did some awkward mending on my new to me Daily Pants.... I needed an inch more room at the waist.. (remember I mentioned the pants cost 25 cents for a reason).. So- the sewing machine.....I sat for a bit wondering how to turn it on (it's ben a long time)....figured that out....then wondered about changing the needle IF it broke.  My pants are"repaired"  - no one will see the back of pants as I usually have on a long shirt of something.....but now the waist button doesn't pull.  Everything feels comfy.  Really quite wonderful.  Mulch and Pants. 

We had a power outage...at some point... The microwave and fridge were beeping.  The furnace is now trying to get the house up to 64 degrees.

I am reading a book which was printed to make it easier for someone with dyslexia to read the book. It is

 also making it easier for these 78 year old eyes to read the book.    Like this but not this much space 

between the lines.

I learn something new a couple times a week...and it's lovely.  The book is Summer Reading by Jenn McKinlay.  It's a follow up book to Love At First Book (which I checked out at the library).  A Librarian is hired to help ghost write a final book in a very very popular series.  The Librarian has a best friend in Florida and this book is about her. I am getting used to the print size and the wider spacing between lines. I have another of her books in the bookcase...to read after this one

Well, I straightened out the fridge and now I have to see about the microwave.....the processes after a power outage.  I sort of thought the whole house generator had put an end to that but....guess not.
 

Daily notes for Monday March 31st. NO sunshine here in Maine and we still have snow.

 I know the image is dark- no sunshine here in Maine,,,, This is the daffodil bed.  They keep on trying and each time they start showing a bit of yellow....SNOW.   The bed is directly over the Septic Tank outflow line....warm from the hot showers Son takes.  Maine is hardly magical.

It's another dark and gloomy day here in Maine...Snow on the walls and driveway has melted.  Snow on the grass has stayed.   The birds are at the porch feeders....chipmunks are under the feeder eating the spill over seeds.

I have a Book Report.....on my last book shopping trip I found this book on the mark down shelf @ Sherman's Books..  The Irresistible Blueberry Bakeshop & Cafe.  (Mary Simses)   Two thirds in (and no such place exists)....  A fancy New York City woman (she has a good job but no idea what it is) has come back to the place where her grandmother wanted her ashes poured into the ocean at a specific beach area and a letter delivered...in Maine.  I live very near the sea coast of Maine so- I had to buy the book.

The all purpose "meet cute" was a water rescue when the rip tide took her down (after the ashes) and kept her under water. I guy ran into the water and saved her..... then they yelled at each other...while still standing in the ocean water he kisses her.....and it's quite a kiss.  Gets printed on the front page of the local paper.  Gotta love small town life.....The Times Record (here in my Town) is a paper that would print that photo.. for sure.

I'm very glad I bought the book- even though my motivation was the charming image on the cover. So..if you want a charming story with great characters etc....this might be the book for you. And eventually there might be something about those blueberries.

Sunday, March 30. Maine is still covered in Snow...Big Rain is headed our way. Also WIND. Tree branches will come down on the power lines.

I love the look of the mossy brick path.

I couldn't find anything good to watch on tv last evening.   My eyes were tired so reading was not a choice.  I switched over to the channel with the big tow trucks pulling cars and long haul trucks out of ditches etc. 0n the 401 in Canada.  A car had actually gone airborne over a guard rail and had to be liftedup and over while a mile long line of cars waited to go around.  We had to wait once outside of BuffaloNew York after a garbage truck had spewed its load all over the two lanes....what mess.  

Then I ate the last of my low salt corn chips.  Called it a day.

I hydrated with the 4-- 8 ounces glasses of water.... and also had one 10 ounce cup of decaf coffee and two of tea and sugar.   My exercise was walking to and from the bathroom.

Yesterday's book was/is Pucked by Helena Hunting.  Hockey.  I was surprised to find a long list of books by this author. She's been busy.  I found this book at Bullmoose a local books and music and videos store selling new and used items.  In the front of the book I read about the 10 other hockey themed books that came before this one.  I've never seen them in any of the bookstore I visit.  The other book I purchased is by Jenn McKinlay........I had just read the Paris is Always a Good Idea book.  

Just for giggles I will see if any library carries  the Hockey Series.  Auburn does cater to the spicy side of the book lists.  I'll let you know.

Today we are making Pizza even thought we have no Sports to watch while eating it.......

That's it... I need to put my socks on and make oatmeal and coffee and read the paper... I managed to get my pants buttoned.   Once buttoned they stay that way...it's just the buttoning that they don't like.  25 cent pants have lots of mean spirited attitude.  Understandable.

 

Daily Notes- Saturday, March 29th. Blizzard Overnight....Snow EVERYWHERE... Everything I plan to watch today is being recorded.

 I would really like this to be delivered to my house today....  Just the one slice.  Olive oil cake.

I can dream.  About cake.

Son has cooked pasta and heated up jarred sauce (gravy)...the only cheese we had was the stuff in the green Kraft can.....he said it was expired- I said it was in the fridge (what could happen to it in the fridge????).....So next time he goes anywhere...  I thought I had a wedge in the freezer but it's Parm Cheese Rinds....that I toss into homemade soup.

He was eating lunch and I was eating breakfast.....I slept late. Which I see as a good thing as for months I was hardly sleeping at all.

Banker sent an email....regarding taxes and other items....all good.   Every time my Baker sends a tax email I recall the hours I spent here on the computer with Turbo Tax...shredding all my nerve endings.

I am reading Pucked (professional hockey) by Helena Hunting.  Shocking.  So many of the Rom Com's feature Hockey Players at this point in time.  I don't get it.   The Boston players are not anything I would want to actually spend time with....... there was one interview on the Sports Talk Show I watched...He was nice to look at...so he got traded.......

I have a card here....Microwave Pasta.  1/2 cup elbow macaroni and 2 cups water.  Bring to a boil and in 9 to 10 minutes...pasta.  I think I was considering this for my Next Pot of Soup.  I do like to add pasta to the soup.  But now I might be able to snag a bowl of my Son's pasta.....

Well PBS has Food Shows....I best get started watching them.  I plan to make rice later and fry up some frozen (in freezer) Pot Stickers.  It may have SNOWED but....I will make the best of the day.  I have Babka.....

Friday (Library GroceryDay) March 28th. Sunshine and dry sidewalks- Blizzard Coming........I don't know when

 Instead of a repeat of an image- I decide on NONE.

I haven't been doing any photo work with my old iPhone....I haven't actually been doing much other than sitting on the couch, reading or watching recorded European Soccer (sort of like a cat video of the cat watching the ball roll around). I watch the ball roll around.

I have gotten another Katherine Center book- What You Wish For.  New to me.  I need to go on line and see the full list of her books.  Then check them off.  I also selected two more Susan Wiggs books. I really enjoyed reading the one my daughter picked up at Goodwill.  The Bookstore Book...it's now in with my favorite books in the book cabinet.

I selected a pre-made Chocolate Babka for my "treat" this week from the grocery store.  I had a slice  and it was as wonderful as my imagination and the Saturday PBS Cooking show lead me to believe it was.

I could possibly make one.....here at home....someday....... it could happen.  Dream on.

My pants are just about loose enough to fall off me.  Well, actually, I think that is an impossibility with my hips.  But they are loose....and I need to visit the LLBean 25cents each pants closet....(here at home) and find a new pair. Perhaps labeled the same size but actually a different size- why they are 25 cents.  I should have a permanent marker handy when I try on LLBean pants...Mark on the tag if the size is too tight or too loose.  For info when I am getting dressed

I could also make a large tuck in the waistband and just continue to wear the too large pants.  Which is actually WHAT I have been doing in the Years since I worked at LLBEan for exactly 3 months.  It could have been 2 months.  "You are not the employee we were looking for".............cue the Star Wars music.

Or wear a belt.

Well, I am not interested in sewing today....I did find fabric strips to add to a square but it's a pale square I took off the pocket of a Ralph Lauren Linen Jacket before I sent the jacket off to a new home where it will no longer be white..  In the moment I thought that square would "play well" with the others I have been making....It's too pale. Too Baby Quilt.  

So, that's it for today....I have a cup of tea or coffee to make....add to the Hydration Chart....I feel less dopey.....but still not doing well with the newspaper Suduko puzzles....I have two that....I simply cannot figure out.  Too many blank spaces.

Daughter has returned to her Regular Employment.  She is pruning today.  Personal Assistant will now be weekends or snow /rainy days.  Or....I could drive my car..... Stranger Things Have Happened.....

Daily Rambling Notes for Thursday March 27th. New book day. Sunshine....99% of Snow has melted.

 

This image arrived in one of the emails I get from people wanting me to "buy stuff".  For many many years I was getting emails from people etc wanting me to "make things".  Now it's all about "buying things". and I am STILL MAKING Things.

My oatmeal was good- I got about 5 numbers in the daily newspaper sudoko.  Which is fantastic.  I wrote a check for the Water Usage......have it ready for son to carry out to the mailbox.  Finished reading the Bookstore book.  Good enough to read again so it's now housed in the tall bookcase "hardback" bookcase.  Yes, two bookcases.... Wiggs is a new to me author and seems to have written a dozen books- possibly more. Doesn't mean I will like any of the others especially if they all run along the same theme lines.... that gets boring.  People Needing to Be Fixed.  I started but won't finish First Time Caller- Borison. It's a good book but I 'm not interested.  I didn't make it to page 100.

I looked on line for a book- The Fabric of Life: Lessons in Frugality from Traditional Japan.  No Maine library has a copy.   I think it's about the mending of old things.....I started mending my old things- favorite clothing, sweaters, bed sheets etc. when I first saw a book about the Japanese Mending.   Mindful Mending was the term American's used.   

I rarely leave the house so even IF my mending bothered my children---no one sees it out in public. And my mended sweaters bring me great joy when wearing them......even if one of them is actually more mending than sweater at this point in its life.  In My Life...the sweater has a long ways to go yet.  I have a donor sweater to use to fortify the weak parts.  At one point I was even glueing broken bowls and cups back together...because I would have missed seeing them if I put them in the recycling box. Even thought they were unusable......at this point I might be considered un- mendable.  That makes me smile.

Another item that made me smile yesterday was FINALLY finding a scrap strip of cloth that "worked" on the little scrap square I had stalled on....now I can add the four strips and start in on a new square.  I  was reluctant to start a new one.....at my age, unfinished things...well, I'd prefer not to leave behind unfinished things.  Or unused things.   Or unneeded things.  The only cluttered space I enjoy the days is my desk calendar and all it's pasted down images and newspaper crap.  This calendar has a Grumpy Lucy (Peanuts) with the title Number One CRAB.  I have always BEEN a Lucy..... possibly a number one Crab.

I tried to watch Bones....Nope.....I have out lived Bones....Next up will be Law and Order...which is NOT on everyday as it once was.....I emptied my TiVo stockpile yet again......my kids might think I am "stuck in a rut" but I am amazed at what I am letting go of.......my Son did offer to upgrade my cable selection so I could have the Sports Talk Show back.  I might decide to do that when we get closer to Fall.

Right now I have British Soccer to watch.  Books to read...Scrap Squares to hand sew. And if nothing else works- I have paper, paints and colored pencils.  I uncovered a Tarot book daughter bought me...cards I was supposed to hand color.  I didn't......but that might be what I do when Summer Ends.

Wednesday, March 26th. Sunshine and Melting Snow. The Vast Space of Unknowing. Again.

 Summer  Flowering Project. 

Not mine....And personally, I don't think all of these flowers play well together.  Or belong together. 

So..yesterday...I got my haircut (very short)....I had a Blizzard ice cream treat.   I am still enjoying my book. Susan Wiggs 2020 the Lost and Found Bookshop.  I moved a lamp over next to the bookcase  so Sam and I could actually SEE the books....helps that she got them in ABC order....I never managed to do that.  Amazing that it took 2 years to think about moving the lamp.......OMG.

I need something cheerful....something to get my mind off the Daily News From the White House.... yesterday's Blizzard dessert helped....but not much.

Today........today is a Vast Space of Unknowing.   I haven't even had breakfast as yet....  but I slept very very well...I am rested and coherent.  So far.  I even stopped typing to go have my first of the day water.  "Stay Hydrated" should be on tee shirts old folks wear..  The waistband on my 25 cent pants is very loose. My "fresh cut" hair looks nice.  I am wearing a pale lime green fleece my daughter gave me....  Short zip at the collar. Very nice....to wear something "new" ish.

We were TWO HOURS early for my hair appointment...the 11 was supposed to be a 1.

That's about it.....the snow has melted off the paved areas but is sticking on the grass areas. I have two newspapers to read with my Daily Bowl of Oatmeal....microwave cooked on button 3.  I press button three for everything....Son mentions the other 9 buttons.  Yes, I see them.......

I haven't looked out back to see if the daffodils lived or died.  Well, Oatmeal beeped...

Tuesday, March 25th....Sunshine, Snow etc. Here in Maine.

 Not yet here in Maine.

Still have snow......I got a very short 60 dollar haircut.   Unbelievable.  I think there might have been a penalty charge for missing the appointment last week.  Or I am just going to have to pay that much going forward....It's a great haircut.  Wash and smooth with fingers and done.

We (daughter and I ) also got a lesson in catching eels.  

We stopped to get Blizzards at DQ as their lot had been plowed and the service windows were open.  I got the pecan, caramel, fudge. Blizzard... very yummy. First one in almost FIVE years- or more....(I typed ten years-which might be the number.)....we stopped going when pulling out into traffic with husband was way way too dangerous.   And I was on the side to get crashed into....he would have been fine.

Sam and I pulled out to zero traffic both ways.....a miracle.

I bought books.....like I need more books....The bookcase is packed.

So I had my haircut and had dessert and shopped for books....I got two.

Now I am going to drink WATER- (I missed two servings)---and sit and read...One of the Goodwill books Sam brought home.. "The Lost and Found Bookshop" by Susan Wiggs... I was POSITIVE I was going to not like it....and up until the boyfriend and her mom died in a plane crash....I was not going to read any further...  I had NOT been expecting THAT.....and I have kept going.

The Library now has a note that other people can check out and pick up my books...Son and Daughter. 

There was a gigantic BEET in the FREE vegetable gleening box at the library.  I was tempted.... but considered just how long it would have to roast in the oven before it was soft enough to EAT. 

The Sun is shining and some of the snow on the driveway is melting.... 

I am considering what Trump and his people would have DONE to ANY Democratic President that did what they did yesterday..talk of security details on an open channel any one or any country could access. I think, from my history classes in high school and college- they committed TREASON.  Correct me if I'm am wrong.   I know my Son will.

Now I intend to make a sandwich....and eat it with some unsalted corn chips.  That will be my Dinner.

Missed a Day....Monday, March 24th, 31 degrees here in Maine- clouds and perhaps some snow.

Oatmeal Dates Cookies

I have oatmeal but no dates....no eggs.  I don't know if I have ever mentioned this, but I love eating eggs but I don't like cooking them myself because of  the way a cracked egg looks........ick.  So, I have for YEARS, been buying eggs as Eggbeaters....pour and measure.... At my grocery the only size available is the large quart carton......I usually buy the pint. The only pint container holds Egg Whites.

So...NO baking going on here....  I cannot commit to a quart of eggs.

I got very very tired last evening and went to bed early....I find the 6 glasses of water during the day...makes me very sleepy.  I slept all night and just now got up and dressed...10am.  So 10 hours of sleeping.  My mother would have died of happiness if I slept that long as a baby........I did NOT sleep.

I knew I had to stay awake because bad things were going to happened.  Even as a baby. 

I am guessing the "bad things" in my life aren't happening now or I have let my guard down and don't care.  Hard to say...but the long deep sleeping is actually quite nice.  Would have been great all along.

Yesterday's book (and continuing into today) Poston's The Seven Year Slip.   Two people slip into each other's lives in her aunt's apartment.  Seven years ahead or behind each other...never in the same time period.  Like bumping into the same stranger every seven years.  I believe time goes forward and back also....I have read it before- a copy of this book is also in my bookcase.

No newspaper this morning- it's Monday. I tried to work on a few of the unfinished Suduko puzzles. They remain unfinished.  I need to turn on some lamps...  Yesterday's Sunday Pizza was quite good.  I'm looking forward to a warmed up slice for lunch today...with some salad greens if they haven't composted themselves in the fridge......waiting for me to eat them..

 

Daily Notes for Saturday. March 22nd... Rainy and cold out side here in Maine....Furnace just kicked on.

 Feeling more chipper as I have actually listened to my Son and Daughter and returned to marking my glasses of water on the chart......."I need to be hydrated in order to make sense"..... and I realized I have had the soup image here already so it's a repeat as is whatever I wrote about soup.  And "not making sense".

I have to work on not forgetting  stuff.... and not repeating stuff.........I do both.. I'm OLD. I'm BORING.  I did find a new unopened box of my favorite pens...BOLD black ink...feels like Christmas or my Birthday. Every time I walk over to the table and see the pen box.....will I live long enough to use them up?  It's fascinating I still know how to do this blog stuff........Know how to order books on the computer from the Library.  Write checks and pay bills......

I have some work to do on my desk calendar...stack of images to paste on the empty spaces before I tear it off and start in on April.  I am still collecting all the used desk calendar pages in a cardboard box. I had a reason in the beginning but have forgotten what it was and just continue doing it- perhaps I will remind myself of the reason????

I thank Paula for the "Book Report" and I have located and ordered three more books by Katherine Center from libraries other than my own. I have two in my bookcase- The Bodyguard which I LOVE and the Rom Commers which I also LOVE.   Things You Save in A Fire is also good...but not good enough to buy....yet.  I need to read it a few more times......that's how I decide....how often I re-read a book.

The book I am reading today is a library book....but I walked over to my bookcase and my copy of the book is there on the shelf...The Dead Romantics/Poston....funeral home owners who can see and talk to the dead.... I recall the love interest being dead also?......  Ashley Poston.  I also have the Seven Year Slip.

My fingers are freezing and turning strange colors.  I have PBS Food shows to watch.  They finally STOPPED FUND RAISING.  We were going to donate husband's car to PBS but might just donate it to Goodwill.  I'll wait for the annoyance factor to ease up before deciding....

The space behind the house is filling up nicely with daffodils.... Everything getting taller.. Soon there will be flowers.  All the snow on the lawn has melted....the side ditch is full of water....no ducks swimming or eagles flying over to drop down and snag a duck for lunch...like the old days.  So much has changed in over 30 years......perhaps longer... I always forget when exactly we move there.  I was super depressed the first five years.  Hated it here.  Pizza tomorrow... Formula One Racing???? maybe.

Take care...talk to you tomorrow...

It's Raining and wet outside On Friday March 21st.

Okay.....it's taken me a bunch of tries to get the left margin all the way to the left.  I gave up on any images as they were inserting themselves anywhere they pleased....... I actually almost gave up on posting today....so you know things aren't going well.

In the Library I got to feeling like I should sit down and drink water....The Gal at the desk got me a glass of water and kept checking to see if I was okay.. I think I was just too warm...... Grocery was okay but we bought hardly anything that I would eat.. I did get some cereal....and I remembered I had a half gallon of milk in the fridge.  I remembered....that was a surprise.  I bought one yogurt ( I only LIKED one flavor they had stocked- and the one I bought was the only one of that flavor.). I also remembered to buy sliced ham and cheese for my lunches and some tortillas to wrap around the meat and cheese. NO CHIPS.

Everything that happens now is related to how much WATER I drink each day... my brain seems to recall things better if I am hydrated.....

Anyway, I woke up feeling pretty good...I slept well and my hair looked okay....I had a shower yesterday and added "product " to my hair.... so it's shiny and controlled.  Not Old Woman White Puffy Hair.

Well, I am despondently going to drink a third 8 ounce glass of water, finish my 10 ounce reheated cup of decaf tea with sugar....... perhaps have a butt end of whole grain bread with peanut butter in an hour or so OR reheat a nice bowl of homemade vegetable soup and eat that.  I add macaroni noodles to it.

Perhaps they are trying to make me anticipate how nice it would be to go into Assisted Living... Another 8 ounces of water and a nap sound okay to me..... little to nothing to watch on tv and I sat on the couch yesterday readying a Kathleen Center book....start to finish.....I forgot to look in the stacks for another of her books.....wish I recalled the title.  About a woman injured in a plane crash- the man she was supposed to marry piloted and crashed the plane- she was badly burned and paralyzed.  He found a new woman to be engaged to......lovely guy.  It's a good book...let me know if you find it in the stacks??? Then I can write down the title. Something about laughing.

Well, it's time to "water" myself.   sigh,

 

Clouds in My Coffee. A Rainy Thursday in March.

 Grocery/Library tomorrow and King Arthur Shortbread Mix.....I don't have a pretty patterned baking dish.. so my shortbread will be flat and plain... IF my grocery carries this mix...99% doubt it. Then I'll just buy a box of already made cookies.....no design on those either.

I wrote checks....and disliked my bill paying ink pens....so went on the search for the ones I liked.. zero... and so I collected all the ones I don't like and put them on the table where my daughter is writing a list of books I like reading.....this will be interesting as some books I recall by author and some by title and some by the art on the cover..........meaning I see the cover and think- that was a good book...... the list is alphabetic.  by author.  Might work out.  Also the papers she has collected are years old in some cases...and I have changed in what I enjoy reading....

I used to read very scary murder mysteries.... Very scary.....and NOW, I do not. People being shot, stabbed and chopped up-- not in my wheel house anymore.

I am returning three books I thought I could read....I could not force myself to do it...One I might start today....I don't recall it being funny- laugh out loud funny.... (blurbs on the book cover). Woman gets hit by a car while walking in the crosswalk and has brain injury that causes her to forget Her Life Entirely. Doesn't come back.  How does that become laugh out loud funny???????

My Son has purchased a new game via "poof" and it arrives.  Like on his phone?  Like on the computer? As he said...no box, no mail... no waiting...... "poof".

I think people get books for their iPad via "poof" also.   I find screen reading or watching here at the desk to be very hard on the eyes.  Of course my eyes are Elderly Eyes. They can still thread a sewing needle ...but takes a few tries.  These days.  Still looking for a certain piece of fabric...ask me about it and I haven't a clue...I think I will know it when I see it......it could happen.

Took a shower this morning, washed my hair and put product in it.....I think...not sure...that I combed my hair after....it sort of feels combed...I don't think I drank the right amount of glasses of water yesterday...so before I sat down here I had 8 ounces....now I will go have another 8 ounces.... plus a cup of decaf coffee. Yes, another 8 ounces of water and then....well, I guess British Soccer....I read Devereaux"s As You Wish. I cried at the end.....I need to buy a copy- I will check and see if the Little Local Bookstore can order me one.  Hardback......I should set aside a few days and read the entire series in order.

I'd like to go back in Time and make a different decision...change my Life. 

Wednesday March 19th. Sunshine but my ankles are cold.

 I REALLY  want Tacos.

My Master Gardener Pal. Has been sending me recipes.....I like the pictures...but not the recipes. The green stuff in the tacos is cilantro...I am one of the people who taste something else when tasting cilantro. It's a genetic thing.   An Oddity.   Soap.

Daughter is making an alphabetic notebook of authors and books I read or might read.....from a handful of scraps of paper and notes on my desk here.... We missed my haircut appointment AGAIN and the owner of the shop called and I could hear it in her voice....very very disappointed in me- well, it's not like I could get there myself....

Before that she and her brother took THREE extra tables to Goodwill.  Then both had to SWEAR that all the parts and screws etc were traveling with the tables....all the legs as well....ALL FOUR LEGS.  I was imagining myself at the doorway- saying those things......I could SEE MYSELF..... hands on hips...All the legs????? All the screws???????   

I had to go back and see if I had already gone on and on regarding tacos.  I forget. A lot these days. I am thinking when you don't have much to think about you re-wind and re-wind...... just stuck.  I keep hoping I am not doing that here.....But other than the water chart, the growing daffodils out back and the two large boxes by the front door across the street.......not much going on here.   I could grab another coloring book but the one's husband had do not interest me........and try as I might....I can't convince myself to sew strips on the squares.   So.........I am just circling the drain.

I need to eat breakfast and have two glasses of water (hydration). Then read the newspaper and work on the unfinished Suduko puzzle pile......  and then reward myself with the book I am reading....

Tuesday, March 18th. Halfway Point to being a year OLDER

Chocolate Guiness Cake. I've may have had this cake when I visited Ireland in the 80's.....if not....I think I really missed out on something great.  Instead of cake.....  I did get "propositioned" in an Irish Cemetery.... as my friend said- "only you, Joanne".  The guy was young and good looking so I was okay with it...but still said "no thank you" to what he offered.. (and what had to be explained to me LATER).   I really led a sheltered life back then.  

Every time my friend thought about it- she and everyone else laughed until they had tears running down their faces.  

Our Irish St Patty's Day Dinner was very good....the cabbage wedges needed a few more minutes but will be excellent after spending time in the microwave today.  

Daughter scouted around the house  and found some leather cleaning supplies (husband's stuff) and cleaned and whatever-ed all my Coach Handbags.....we also moved me into a smaller bag for spring into summer... I carry very little with me these days.. wallet, credit card, hankie and any lists I happen to have for books or groceries or things I might need to remember.....yes...ALL my Coach handbags.....the only one missing is a red one..I never could find the larger size in red ....I have brown, navy, green and black.  The black one was free.  A gift from someone I was having lunch with... "Want this????".   That's how I get stuff or get "offered" stuff here in America.  Laughing.

I think we took a TON of stuff to Goodwill.

Well, I have recorded British Soccer for today...a book to finish. "Funny Story" by Emily Henry. Followed by As You Wish by Jude Devereaux.  I need to find a hard cover copy of this book for my bookcase.

Well, I need to add socks to my wardrobe---make a bowl of oatmeal  and get a cup of instant coffee going....read the paper and then.......try a Suduko.   ...then the couch and my book and the Soccer.  And if ONLY I was able....a nice nap would be welcome.  But I have never been able to "nap".  You'd think that well into my late 70's I would be able to nap....just from being bored .....but NO.  Failure to Nap.

Bring on the cake,,.......

March 17th....Dark, Wet Monday. The crock pot holds our corned beef dinner...

My favorite of the many Trump Voo Doo dolls.  I'd be pounding nails into mine if I had one. Enjoying every whack of the hammer.... and using big thick nails.

Okay- I watched everything in my PBS file.....and then started in on Law and Order.  I'm saving the English Soccer for today.....Not watching news (at all) is limiting my tv watching...but the one minute- an actual minute- I did see news- I knew I had to STOP.   I did read the newspaper....usually only the headlines.

Daughter is bringing me a book from the Library...I just wanted something familiar.  Comforting.  Like a small kid with his or her blankie.   I just got an email about King George lll.  Resemblance to he who shall not be named.

Our Corned Beef is in the Slow Cooker....I got a larger piece this year- for leftovers and bigger portions with the potatoes and cabbage.  And carrots.  It's a meal I missed for many years......I stopped cooking meals when my husband stopped....... eating....meals.....with me......... It might have been when he forgot who I was,  Why I was always around.  Everything that happens reminds me of something I'd rather not recall......

I looked in a drawer and found a large handful of CD's- There will be rock and roll in this house...also opera and 40's men singing love songs.   When Son goes out to lunch I will get the audio UP and enjoy the music.  Looking forward to it.

Time for breakfast....
 

Sunday, Sunday- only it's cloudy and damp here in Maine. 45 degrees and 99% humidity.

Caryopteris with a Sweat Beetle.

Gathering pollen.   I feel like I am gathering dust.   This is what getting old must be like......I've never actually FELT OLD before but now...I feel like I have an expiration date stamped on me somewhere. And now I know how quickly death can come and take you away. Snap.

I watched three recorded episodes of Vienna something on PBS.  I'd seen them before but I do always enjoy a nice Period Drama. I have episodes of Wolf Hall recorded and waiting for all of them before watching...I usually read the book after watching......I have it in the bookcase...also the Mirror one.

I will be searching for a Jude Deveraux book- I know the plot but not sure I have the book here......It's one of those where two women and one guy- Ray are going to change their lives.....by making a wish to go back in time to the place where they made the wrong choice.   I have to go looking.  And actually buy the book if I don't have it.  I know exactly where I made my wrong choice......

The Boxes of linen etc arrived in Georgia at Deb L's Dye Works...... I was getting worried....but they all arrived.   She has PLANS......I love that about Deb- and she gets right to those plans...  I really wish I had a PLAN.  Any sort of Plan would be an improvement.....I feel like I'm stuck in neutral and if there is any movement it's usually in reverse.  Not forward.  I spend a lot of time each day in reverse...thoughts.

So Sunday Pizza.....recorded British Soccer and a book search.... I also have some additional closet cleaning to do.  How does a person who wears the EXACT SAME  THING  DAY AFTER WEEK  AFTER MONTH AFTER YEAR AFTER DECADE.....have so many clothes??????????   It's like they multiply in the closet....yesterday I found some "new to me" tee shirts......it's like some sort of Magical Closet Thing.  I wore a bright red shirt the other day.....I didn't even know I owned one....found it when looking for stuff to send Deb L in Georgia. For the Dye Works.  Can't dye a red shirt....so I put it on.

 

Saturday Morning....March 15th. Sunshine-40 degrees and melting snow.

 I'd love to have this cloud of blue in a few spaces in my garden beds.   It might not like MAINE.... It's Catmint....I think it smells like pee but I'll have to check on that to see if I am correct.

I sorted out the drawer I have filled with desk calendar ART.   At one time I drew pictures and colored them here on the desk calendar......at some point I started using images cut from magazines to the surface.   I have years of calendars in a box- I imagined an art display in some fantasy...just covering the walls with calendar pages.

At the recent Dye Plant Lecture- the walls in the Library Meeting Room were covered in ART.  All kinds of things.....I was enchanted.  Especially the black and white...stuff reminding me of my own art here on the calendar pages.  While listening to the lecture I drew images from the walls in my notebook.

Re-connecting with my ART.......I know REAL artists always have something to draw on and something to draw with ........My daughter would say right now- but you ARE a real artist.   I am.  And I should start carrying around a small blank page notebook and a pencil or pen.....and draw what I see and what I imagine.  

I watched a Hallmark Movie....A Car Mechanic finds out he is next in line for some British royal position.... so he goes to see what's what.... and fixes things....and fixes the old guy's (his new found dad) red sports car. The old guy still loves the mechanic's mom...so it all works out.  Dopey but I liked it.

Been awhile since I watched Hallmark...years.  But it's actually healthier than watching the NEWS. I have STOPPED COLD watching the news.....Until this Country starts electing intelligent people who know how to govern.....nothing will work the way we want it to.  And as someone who lives on their Social Security check......I'm worried.  That check pays for heat, lights, food etc. And taxes.

Daily Notes- Friday March 14th.. Sunshine and Melting Snow-

Amy Genser- Textured Pattern. 

Okay- the Sun is shining here in Maine...the snow is melting, the grass is brown.   On the South side- Snow and tiny daffodil shoots.  Odd that the South side has snow and the North side has grass.

I watched National Geographic yesterday regarding digging into the sand to find ancient tombs and possibly treasure....I came away with a very positive impression that I would NEVER go down into one of those shafts with so much moving sand.......another thing to cross off the list.

Things are looking tidy here in the living room (the dining room part of the L shape is where I am sitting now typing at my desk and where my couch is located and I watch tv.  Cozy.)   Daughter and I have emptied out the living room....now only two bookcases, a couch (pressed up against a wall) and a table and four chairs over in front the windows..  There is zero Living Room vibe.

In fact...on this particular street I have never visited ANY of the living rooms....always sat and talked in the family rooms. Always.  Which is why my living room is empty.  Of course I do NOT have a family room....my house is incredibly WEIRD.  And no one ever comes to visit. Well, the Twin Boys used to come pretty often to talk to husband.  They talked and he pretended to listen.

We are going grocery shopping as soon as Son takes his shower.......and the Library... I will have to walk about looking for books as I did NOT order books.... I have four books on the shelf I haven't read as yet. And of course I have my bookcase.

 

Thursday, March 13th. Clouds with a bit of a chill in the air...

 My Lunch yesterday was delightful....the waiter was a bit over the top but- it was fine.  The wine was wonderful in a very very fancy glass... everything was several degrees fancier than we had at the former restaurant which still has NOT opened in their new location.  Might never open.

Colder and Cloudy here in Maine- yesterday we didn't even need to wear our coats....strange weather.

I have soup to eat today and tomorrow is Library and Grocery Store.  And then the days will be quiet until next Friday.  The soup is a bit more tomato than I like so...next time I will use less of whatever it was that was tomato like....

That's it for today....I haven't had breakfast as yet or read the newspaper....but I do have the stock market on the computer now since our newspaper can NO longer print the stock quotes.  No idea what is going on with STUFF anymore...  fewer and ewer things to watch on tv so I might have to buy a streaming service--  I used to enjoy Netflix but that was years ago and no clue what it would be like NOW...there is no chance of a trial offer either...that is how I got it years ago.  Decades ago.

Take care- enjoy the day.

Wednesday March 12th. A Fresh Start.

 Elena Ray- Abstractions.

I think I have reached the Tipping Point...I wish "The Man Whose Name Shall Not Be Spoken" reached his. But perhaps Down is the only direction he knows.  And his Down is very very DEEP.

My Own Tipping Point was a shower, clean clothes (not my usual size- not worn in the last decade or more) and a lunch date in 2.5 hours. I felt strong enough to brave the shower.....there is a safety chair in the shower stall "just in case" and I have had to make use of it....I won't deny that....I do not want to fall and smash my head etc..... not the way this story ends.

I FINALLY made the SOUP yesterday and had two bowls and then two 4 inch square frozen waffles... 

I am reading "Wait For It" by Jenn Mckinlay.  All the characters have been described....Now we find out where this story is going.  I haven't noticed the "funny" that is written on the cover blurb.....yet.  Perhaps that is where the "Wait For It" comes into play?????

Daughter deconstructed a tall black table in the far corner of the living room....where my husband had his coloring pages and pencils etc.   Now it has gone to Goodwill.  The two tall black barstool chairs  that went with the table are now in my bedroom...on either side of my old Sea Captain Four Drawer Dresser.

I emptied the drying rack where one chair now sits and put all the clothing in the closet....I sent away three boxes of clothing but the closet is still packed..........it gets like that when you have three sets of everything in three different sizes. The shirt I have on- only four buttons from the top meet......I am wider at the bottom- so need to wear something under the shirt.

Well, I need to eat something...oatmeal.   And take my pills.....and read the paper and try the Suduko.  I managed to get all the numbers in a second puzzle...... feeling like a Suduko Rock Star --on the very very very lowest level......but I got all the boxes........that's a WIN.

Warmer and Snow is melting...a bit of Sunshine here in Maine.

 The Soup I am making today will sort of resemble this image.  Won't be as red.  Might not have any dark green leaves in it.  My cabbage is pale.  I envy the people eating THIS soup having that nice bread.

Daughter used my Air Fryer to crisp up some Tater Tots in the freezer for me.  Had to do them twice. There are frozen battered chicken pieces in the freezer also....not a fan of chicken...so we didn't do anything with them.  I have never used the Air Fryer myself.

I read Deveraux's  Knight In Shining Armor.   I'd read it once years- decades ago...I cried at the end. No idea what today's book will be-  The Deveraux took me two whole days.... I kept having to stop.

Our taxes are now in the hands of Our Banker....an assistant drove up here from Portland to collect them.

Tomorrow My Lunch Buddy and I are going to have lunch.... we have no idea where.... the long sidewalk replacement project in Town...sort of destroyed the businesses on the Main Street.  No where to park, difficultly walking thru construction areas and even routed (on foot) into one lane of on coming traffic etc. We are going to see What's What with surrounding Towns.  There are three close by.

I haven't chosen a book for today- I might rest up and hand sew another scrap square.  It's very restful and even seems a "bit" creative.  I don't feel like returning to my coloring book work.....I know I will at some point in Life but not right now.  Eventually, I look forward to painting...watercolor.  That will be what I do in my 80's.  Abstract loose watercolors.  It's nice to have a plan even if it's a very loose one.  

I saw Tony Bennett on PBS- they were selling a CD of his ...but while they filmed him he was painting....and drawing.  And, it felt like a message to me..."you can do this" and yes, I can.  The duets were good....wish they had let us hear one entire one and not just bits of several.  I never buy anything when PBS does these Money Grabs.... I stop watching PBS during the fund raising...which gets longer and longer as time passes.   Someday the Saturday Cooking Shows will reappear selling their cookbooks etc.  My Gardening Friend says I should buy the PBS streaming service.  I don't even know what that means.
 

Happy Monday to Alll...... Sunshine here in Maine with melting snow on the grassy areas...

 I have been checking out recipes for a nice loaf of bread.  I don't have a bread baking basket that makes this design....and I don't feel like baking and eating bread....old habit that leads to weight gain. 

My Lunch Buddy and I are trying to think of a place to have lunch...the great one year sidewalk project in Town closed most of the businesses....no where to park...difficult to walk....Poof- new sidewalks and no businesses.

I am cold all the time these days.... I should look that up and find out if its symptom of something or just what happens to people as the get OLD.  I have on a wool sweater and wool socks but my neck is freezing cold and my fingers as well.

I collected all the necessary bits for the taxes....I could do them myself but I "just don't want to" plain and simple.  Just Don't Want To is my New Life Motto.

My Atomic Clock did the time changing....I was completely unaware.  That it was time to change the clocks.  Which means the little clocks here in my watch tv and read area....are wrong.  Nope...Son must have walked around and changed them all.

Well, I have a book to read and soccer games recorded to watch...and a down lap comforter to keep me warm.....and I might even fall asleep......gosh- I might become a NAPPER.

Sunday. Dye Plants for cloth dyeing. I thought we were learning about the Plants.... we actually were learning about not much.

 Good Morning- Well, actually Afternoon.

We just put the Sunday Pizza in the oven..... 40 degrees outside and a bit damp.... Gloomy.

The lecture was actually about Dyeing Clothing with Plant Materials.....not about Growing Plants to USE for Dye Clothing.  My bad...... I was thinking Dye Garden......Something I actually would like to have in the backyard.  All sorts of Marigolds for sure.

DebL uses dyes and I use paint to color clothing.....dye was a bit dangerous for someone with lungs not functioning at 100% already.......My favorite "dye" is actually canned or bottled grape juice.  In a large pot with the items at a slow simmer..  until the items are as blue as you want them...  No rinse.  Just wring them out and let them dry.  Once dry- you can wash with Ivory Soap.  Rinse. Dry again.  I revitalized my old faded blue work shirts with grape juice- I also sent two off to Deb L to fancy up..... they are Way Fancy.

Ot easier still just paint the DAMP fabric with one of those small craft bottles of blue paint....let dry and then press with a hot iron.

Next time they have lecture-- I will have my daughter read the text and then we will compare notes.

BUT....I got out of the house- I chatted with the former head librarian seated next to me....It was very pleasant.  It felt normal.  And that felt good.

Well, pizza is getting close to ready to eat.....I have collected everything for the Banker to do my taxes... Sam will bring her's tomorrow.  My Master Gardener Friend is sending me recipes--- one for cornbread just arrived....  I was thinking about cornbread- I was also thinking about a round loaf of bread...I have yeast.

Saturday Wind overnight and now sunshine.=ISH. 37 degrees- snow on the ground.

I  didn't buy yeast...wasn't on the list.

But I do love TRYING to bake Bread.....  and I especially love EATING BREAD......Why my bottom is so wide....no matter what I weigh.  We could have bought bread. Like this image.

So...big wind last night.....Son got to experience it on the second floor....with skylights.  I slept thru it.  For the past few nights- I get in bed and then wake up and it's morning....sleeping- a new experience for me. Literally, a new experience....sleeping.  No dreams.  

I am re-reading the Runaway Groomsman...by Meghan Quinn.  I am enjoying reading it but not as much as usual.  I may have outgrown it....that is happening....my appetite for books is changing....and some books I never get past page 11.  This is something "new"......something to consider and think about. Page 11.

Well, I was planning to make soup today but I think I might just. cook some rice and add green peas and butter to it... call it a meal.  I am feeling too lazy for all the peeling and chopping involved in soup. I didn't buy ham and cheese for tortilla roll ups either.  I actually didn't buy anything for the week's meals. I am positive this is a sign of depression....no Planning.  no Interest..   Lots of Sleeping.

I was VERY HAPPY to see the backyard daffodil bulbs returning for another SPRING.

And I did change my bed sheets and I washed them and dried them and put them back on the bed...I did do that......and it felt like "enough".

 

Friday March 7th....Feels like a decade since I last sat here typing....

Mine sometimes looks like this....usually not as tomato red...but I now own a tube of tomato PASTE so son says Future Soup will have a deeper color....... I finished the previous pot of (pale) soup yesterday.

I don't think I have anything green.... but today is Grocery Day.  And Library Day- 2 books to pick up. And  I will wander around looking at books.....

I went to bed at 9:30 and was up at 5 am.  Not the best of Lifestyle Changes.  Nothing on TV and. the book I was reading...well, if I continued I would have been up too late...so I stopped before any of the good stuff started.  Background stuff, especially if you are reading a book for a second or third time....really do need to skip it.

I have my bedding in the washer/ some in the dryer.  Takes a along time for king sheets to dry.  

Then...because it was So EARLY......I sorted paperwork for the Bank Guy who does our taxes...and NOW I am wondering if I did it correctly.... I learned my lesson years ago- Put Nothing In The Shredder Until The Taxes Have Been Signed and Sent Away.  Though I have heard that having NO paperwork is possibly the best excuse for whatever went wrong with your taxes.  I still have 2022 and 2023 papers in the drawer.

I'd rather NOT test that Theory.

Son was correct we did have IRS. paperwork on the one stock we own....paper copy. Life is Good.

I watched a Hallmark Movie yesterday...and it was actually good...not great but decently good.

The book I am reading.... the male character is a script writer for a "Hallmark-ish" company but Movies not cable tv.  I need to buy this book for my Assisted Living Collection...I am hoping I can still read when they put ME the there.  But perhaps, I am already enjoying an Assisted Living Situation here at home????? 

Well, my KING bed sheets should be dry.....I'll make my bed (usually Quite a Work Out) before settling in to the couch cushions. I also have- daughter found it....a book about a woman who finds an old coin and then visits an ancient cemetery and the Knight buried there (Thomas)---somehow is standing next to her.....alive and hasn't a clue about modern life.  I haven't read that book in decades....should be fun.

Sheets.......Library......Grocery and then possibly a nap....getting up at 5 am is WRONG is so many ways.

 

Thursday, March 8th. I've been up awhile, read the newspaper paid the heating bill had breakfast and then a "Breakfast Cookie"

I have tried so many times to get the text over to the left......
 

And now I seem to have succeeded.

Daughter and I went out shopping yesterday...I got two packages of old fashioned lemon drop candy. she got 5 or 6 cans of spray to keep her from getting Lyme disease while she works as a Landscaper.  Lots of ticks on the Atlantic sea coast.  And most of the client base is on the coastline.

This orchid lived on the window bench across from my sink....I would look at it while washing dishes.

I am reading an ancient Jude Devereaux from 1985.  A "Book Club" edition....I was okay with it until page 30 or so.... I am now on page 71 and I can't believe this got published.  We are bouncing all over the place and she writes about something and then- nothing....never finishes or connects it to anything... a woman is hired to sew unfinished items of clothing the MAN ordered...she arrives once and takes one item. Never heard from or seen again.   Woman hears people in bottom of the boat are sick etc...goes down with water and soap and takes care of things and then never goes back down....  what I have here is a collection of story parts (like index cards) made into a book.   I have it here on my desk and the chance of me picking it up again...slim.  Also no one wears underwear or takes a bath.  At least in the other Pirate Ship Romances from the 90's- there was aways a bath (after they took the chain off the woman's ankle)..  I means this woman- young lady is walking around in a dress...just a dress. no slip no nothing. And it's the same dress....for DAYS.  And no one has mentioned a toilet or a bath.  And I have ten more of the same.....in the bookcase....sigh.  I said no but....they are here.  I did say NO....sigh. 

Books were CERTAINLY Not politically correct back in the 80's.  (and 60's and 70's)- but I lost all those books in a fire.....I lent them to someone and her apartment caught fire.

Well, I have the Runaway Groomsman to read- from the library and written only a few years ago. And three to pick up tomorrow on Library Grocery Day.

I had a nice Burger and excellent Sweet Potato Fries yesterday at lunchtime.  At a place by the river...The scenic area out the window would have made a lovely watercolor.  By me.  Black, white and gray as the water and trees were dark and the snow and sky shades of gray.

I may make up a kit of sorts and carry it at all times- if I start leaving the house on the "regular"..  I also got books- new (2024 25) ones- at the book store. And an Edna Lewis Cookbook- there is an Edna Lewis program on PBS right now.  About the woman and her cooking.....watch it if your station still has it running.... I am going to start with her biscuits....and then perhaps some grits....and on the PBS show she did something amazing with tomatoes........

Wednesday. March 5th Snow on the ground and rain falling.....

New scraps.  I visited the Sewing Room...

black and white and gray.  and some other colors.  Need to be cut....

Gloomy.   Chilly..... I am having decaf coffee this morning (almost noon as I type).. My Library friend Janet is not sure she will attend the Growing Plants to use to Dye Fabric.  I signed up and will attend- it's my first real decision. Can't back down now.

My Master Gardener Pal (also not attending) is driving to Boston to care for her sister who has COVID.  So many people I know have gotten COVID repeatedly (my Lunch buddy and her entire family..very often)....it's a  puzzle that I try and figure out.  Each time it's stronger not weaker.  Obviously no immunity.  I may have had a very weak case of it- or I am remembering having the Flu.  The Flu, with me, is pretty awful.  I get the flu shot every year.  No repeats wanted.   The only thing all of the infected people have in common- they got on an airplane or car and traveled. OR know someone who did and spend time with that person.

I watched The Hunter.  A new series at 10pm....Like watching a (really) crappy daytime soap. You know- they stand and talk and over to the left is the back of the head of whomever they are speaking to.... I stopped after 15 minutes and deleted all the episodes I recorded on TiVo....switched to Law and Order and then moved on to a  repeat Tracker episode.  Then went to bed.

Trump has now increased the price of heating oil (trade war with Canada)...how most Mainers heat their houses....I'm sure they will remain loyal Trumpers as they freeze when they run out of money to fill the oil tanks. That Fireball liquor should warm them up.  My last oil fill was almost $800.  And that might not last until Summer.  And I need oil all year to heat water, for showers and washing dishes.....and clothes.  Electricity here in Maine is even more expensive.  I ask myself why I still live here??????  I have no good reason. I remember another trade war where a tank fill was nearly $1200.  Back in the early 90's.

I have a book to finish reading and I might refill my decaf coffee cup...stuff is good.....Daughter got the  jar of  instant coffee at the Natural Food Market.

Daughter got me some 1980-'s used Jude Deveraux books.... I have a bad felling about them.

I am going to look for husband's radio.....I KNOW the Sports Talk Show is on the radio so- just listening to them talk might be good enough...since I am usually coloring, sewing or writing when I used to "watch".   Now wondering what the radio looked like.....
 

Daily Notes- I'm fine- I got distracted by emails ....forgot to post.

Monday, March 3rd. Sunshine and 10 degrees. Japanese Rice Cooker is doing it's job on the counter... tiny beeps.

this image has been here....but I didn't like any of the others.

While watching tv......I got bored and returned to my tiny print book.  Yesterday's pizza was delicious and I had it with the box of salad greens.....from Friday's shopping.  Just greens...they stayed crisp... the mixed salad gets soggy.  Lesson learned.  I added some olive oil and Balsamic vinegar.  

Today I will finish off the homemade SOUP..... topped with some Parmesan cheese.

I selected scraps to make a black and white square.  More white than black but I might find another mostly black scrap. Or just work with the white with tiny black accents, while I watched a Tracker episode on CBS. Fun to figure out what day and time Tracker will be on each week....High Potential has disappeared.  Will Trent has stabilized on the same day and time..with repeats.

Only one book has arrived at the Library...three more are in transit.  Pick up on Friday.

I finished True Love and now going to start in on For All Time.   In the hardcover edition...easy on the eyes.  And there might possibly be some European Soccer today.   

I'm here late- I was up early but lacked enthusiasm for getting out of bed.  I know from experience that is the first step into Depression.  Having nothing to look forward to other than a romance book...truly sad. But I did get out of bed and I did get dressed and I did comb my hair......and I made and ate a bowl of oatmeal.  No newspaper on Monday.....well, I have my vitamin pill and statin to take.   Then the couch and my book.....for the remainder of the day......perhaps a toasted bagel around 2 or 3pm.

Life in the Barely Moving Lane.  But I have dark chocolate as a reward.

 

Good Morning on a Chilly but Sunny Saturday in Maine. Lots of March Snow.

Someday soon..when the snow melts.  IF the snow ever melts.

No Soccer today as we seem to be having BASKETBALL.  The High School Variety. Humbug.

I stayed up late (for me) reading but then decided I needed to sleep.   This morning I discovered I was up MUCH earlier than usual and could watch ALL the Food Channel Saturday Food Shows.  Not that I have an interest in cooking or baking anything.   Eating?  Yes.

A few emails this morning....one from my Master Gardener Pal....she actually is under the impression that I am driving my car.   No.  I am guessing I COULD drive the car if it was a desperate emergency... but that is the only way it might happen.

I have to keep reminding myself it is NOW MARCH.   I have a new fresh page of the desktop calendar to add images to....I have some flowers and a political cartoon of a guy saying since Musk has all our personal info now- this guy is going to let Musk do his taxes......

In BETTER NEWS.... my former neighbor Peggy gave us Amaryllis bulbs a year (possibly two) ago and they bloomed beautifully.  I kept them in their pots and watered them etc....just in case they wanted to bloom again.  And this morning as I cleaned up the plant table (by the south facing window) and watered things... I noticed tiny green shoots coming out of the center of the bulb.....leaf shoots.  Once a Gardener...Always a Gardener.

I need. to tell daughter to find a hard cover copy of Jude Deveraux's True Love....I am wearing my eyes  out.trying to read a small paperback with tiny print.....late into the night.  But the hunt might take awhile- months or even a year.....so I will continue reading after the food shows are over.

That's it from Maine.... Where everything is covered in snow and it feels really COLD. Even in the house.

 

Daily Notes for Saturday, March 1st. Son still chipping ice offf sidewalks.

Pile of scraps....mostly strips.  For that square making project that has gotten stalled.  Mainly because I can't find a "certain scrap" that I think would make a perfectly lovely square.  Virgo all the way.

Right now it's Soccer at 3 pm  (if available or one of the recorded games). Today is Saturday so it's PBS Cooking Shows (prior to Soccer at 3pm).  My son has taken pity on me and will upgrade my cable selection( if I say yes) so I can watch the Sports Talk Show I have enjoyed for years....  My Life is shrinking by the day.  I really did enjoy the Sports Talk Shows......nothing ever happened...they just talked.

I have a list of...something....really I made a list and now can't recall ---oh....info for the TAXES... Paperwork I need to dig out of the bill drawer.   Not today.  Too ditsy today.

Oil Delivery Yesterday- might have already mentioned it....also a shower this morning and conditioned my hair......Breakfast was Oatmeal and a Banana.  At times the Banana gives me Acid reflux.  Not today. I had homemade soup yesterday for dinner at 4 pm.....  I will have more today....at. 4 pm.

I'm going to stop typing as I am boring myself and I imagine boring all three of you still reading this blog. I try and imagine myself going back to coloring the circles my husband left unfinished.....I also imagine making more patchwork squares.......I even think about painting a small watercolor of an orange...

I pasted small squares of yellow paper over every image of He Who Shall Not Be Named in the newspaper this morning.  That's actually troublesome behavior even to ME.  I  enjoyed doing it. I think that makes it even more troublesome behavior.

Yesterday's book " Is She Really Going Out With Him?"  Sophie Cousens.  Strange title. Nothing to do with the book as the two characters never actually "dated" ..  I finished reading it but......massively needed a much better proofreading team.... the typos got annoying and the use of the wrong word......"much" instead of "make" etc. Characters just appearing and then disappearing. Also vast portions of the text could have been deleted. Replaced with better things.

I think I read it before the Mystery Proofreading Library Patron got her pencil on it.  So annoying.  I like to find the mistakes MYSELF....and leave them unmarked for the next person. To Find.

 

Daily Notes for Friday February 28th. Heating Oil Delivery. Sun is shining during the day- melt freezes overnight.

 Oatmeal Date "Smash" Cookies......but can sub the dates and use chocolate chips.

Was going to buy eggs...but didn't.  This recipes needs one egg.  But I can add some ripe banana as an egg substitute.   The egg case at my grocery store was FULL.....  the cookies puff and you smash them down and then return the cookies to the oven and turn the oven off.

All of these recipes are very labor intensive- I read the comments.....no one follows the recipe.

Grocery Shopping but no visit to the Library....no books to pick up and I wasn't in the mood to wander the stacks.  Next week the possibility of three or more reserve books.  Coming from "other" libraries.

Another photo in the paper of the Toilet Chair Sitting of you know who.  Two might be the start of a "collection".   And I have only been looking for them for two days.  IF I was watching the news--and I am NOT, I could grab images to use in the collection every single news show....  I'm already bored with the idea.

So..........that's it....I didn't SEE any listing for Soccer today.....bummer.

Thursday February 27th. It snowed- there's ice.... Doing several loads of wash because...

Daughter hauled all the clothing from the Attic down stairs yesterday afternoon.....all I had to do was sit and say "yay or nay" and today I have the "yay's" pile in the bathroom going into a cold wash. Three cold washes so far... I am charged with removal of 20 years of  DUST from the articles of clothing I kept....Goodwill is getting a very very nice donation of lovely things later this week. Dust included. 

Right now some VERY expensive linen, hand sewn, loose tops are in a cold delicate wash.  They were VERY expensive........I should have purchased a white tunic as well.....but...I didn't ALL THOSE YEARS AGO. And they didn't fit when I decided to wear them- as I had gotten FAT.....I don't know if they will fit now, either.  But they will be clean.  I have new to me pants, tops etc to look forward to wearing.

Then I watched European Soccer.... And at 3pm today- another European Soccer Match.  It's amazing how the hours go by watching little figures running about on the grass.  And I really need the hours to go by.....

I was going to reheat soup but the expiration date on my prepared meatloaf meal- changed my plans... it will be meatloaf... with mashed potatoes and broccoli.  

A new series of Dark Winds begins in a few days....I have the TiVo set to record the episodes.

I am reading "Is She Really Going Out With Him?"  By Sophie Cousens.....very British.  Somehow she has been tricked into writing a "Dating" column in order to keep her job. She has ZERO interest in dating.

Daughter told me...our Little Maine Town has ZERO Dry Cleaners.  All gone...So the blazer I wanted to have dry cleaned........nope.  We did have two....one on the right side of the street and one on the left- almost across from each other.........we must not have any rich people left?????? My husband took all his clothing to the dry cleaner.....I had to stop and pick it up on my way home from work.  Pay for it.

I was usually covered in sand and dirt ....they double bagged everything....after looking at me... was the right call.....

Daily Notes- Wednesday February 26th. Sunshine melting snow- then freezing and Ice.

I went looking for an image.

I like this one and might actually try my own "color" spin on a heart shape.  (not orange)

I wrote down a NYT cookie recipe... Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies minus the egg.  Since EGGS are difficult to find....my grocery has lots of them here in Maine....organic ones.......but I am NOT baking so I didn't BUY any.  And I do have a ripe banana handy and a fresh jar of extra crunchy peanut butter.   Makes 20 cookies...  The NYT's recipes usually make a small amount of cookies....20....wow.

It warmed up and then rained and then went below freezing outside ... Sidewalks and front porch steps- very very slippery. Supposed to get up to 40 during the day....freeze overnight.  Delightful.  It was a day like this when husband slipped and landed on his face on the ice covered front steps....we drove to Urgent Care. Lots of blood......

Memories.

I finally (yes, it took weeks) made SOUP.  I had two bowls...very very delicious with lots of vegetables. I will have 2 more bowls today....watching British Soccer at 3 pm.  Liverpool...I hope the crowd SINGS..... Crystal Palace won yesterday's game.  A small amount of singing.

Yesterday's (and today's) book is The Summerhouse (Deveraux)...three women in Maine...They get to make one wish to change something in the past that they regret....... three women and a wish happens in another book also....I hope it's one on the shelf here in the house.  After reading I always thought about what my one wish would be.  What would yours be?  To change something you regret.  A choice made your regret.