Good Morning--Sun is shining here in Maine. Sunshine and 61 outdoors and 66 indoors-

Zinnia from the picture files.

So sunshine and the three forsythia (I always buy an odd number) I have on the property are in flower.  I also have daffodils out front now as things warm up.... tomorrow I am visiting a Nursery and might buy some nice things to plant in the beds...some colorful perennial items....might also buy for the annual containers if I see things I like.  This will be a new to me Nursery so they will, hopefully, have a new to me items for sale..

Well, perhaps the Resale Shop Gods will have a nice sweater for me tomorrow???? And I'll wear it till it also needs 50% of the sweater to be mended.  Usually the elbows.

My Library Book choices this week have been terrible...so they are going into the return bag unread.

This must be the lull in Time before something new arrives.  Like the EIGHT Katherine Center books I ordered.  I also have a Susan Wiggs book (in the house) that is a follow up to The Lost and Found Bookshop. Not about the Book Shop but the restaurant across the street. (where the bookstore gets its bakery treats). I would love a Bakery Treat right about now.  With a cup of coffee.  I still do NOTt have any instant decaf from the Natural Foods Shop.  Perhaps I can buy a jar tomorrow.  While I'm OUT with Patty.  The only jars at the grocery are store brand or worse....in decaf...plenty in regular.

I have one more serving of Vanilla yogurt, Bran Buds and fresh Raspberries for lunch today. Actually, I usually eat it as a late morning snack...and actually eat "lunch" around 3pm (or later). But I do EAT.

Well, that's it for now...I have on my wool sweater and wool socks and need a scarf around my neck-- bit chilled.  Sunshine outside....and a book waiting for me and another cup of tea......a good day so far... but I am cold...I recall my Dad being cold all the time as he got close and into his 80's.  And I do take after him. Except no Pacemaker..... and no tiny weird dogs.

Daily Notes on A Sunshine Day here in Maine- 65 degrees. Tuesday, April 29th. I was going to type something political but...nope.

 Brownie/Chocolate Mug Cake.

As usual the recipe and comments...OMG.  It's simply one T of butter, one egg, a drop of vanilla 3 to 4 T of sugar 3 T of cocoa powder, pinch of salt, a few chocolate chips.  Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes.

Basic Microwave Mug cake...Fancy it up as much as you want... I seriously doubt that list of ingredients is going to fill a MUG.  It needs to be a small mug.  They even mix it in a bowl and then spoon into the mug- Just mix in the mug!!!!!!!

I used to prepare this sort of thing to take to work- at break time I microwaved it and waited for it to cool and then enjoyed "cake".  Now whipped cream or ice cream would actually make this DIVINE.  I have neither.  So I might pour over a bit of my coffee cream.

What I really like is the blue cup.  With those two areas unglazed.

Sunshine is very very nice.  Finished up When Grumpy Met Sunshine.  And need to select a new book for today.  I was surprised by the Wigg's book- so full of WORDS and not much else and the characters- too many and I actually didn't like most of them..  I have another Wiggs book and two Danielle Steel --there wasn't much to choose from....and I do have a boat load of Katherine Center books waiting at the Library. But not until Friday pick up.  

I am going to now settle into the couch, close my eyes and try and relax the muscles- tight- in my neck. Fruit for this week is Bosc Pears....I am saving the seeds.  I doubt pear tress survive in Maine. And starting one from seed at my age is quite hilarious........

Monday, April 28th. Sunshine- wow- here in Maine. Still need the furnace going....

It feels endless doesn't it.

I keep hoping for something "natural" like a stroke but his VP is pretty dangerous... so continued whatever sort of health condition he is in.  But perhaps more vacations in Florida, more golf.....where he moves the ball when it doesn't land where he wants it to.......

My book reading has slowed to a crawl......this is the third day for When Grumpy Met Sunshine, I'll finish it today at some point in time....I've read it before but oddly enough, it's seems quite different this time. I often think it's really Me that is different and the book remains the same.  I'm very tired.

I had a nice hot shower this morning and washed my hair twice...felt it needed that. Clean clothing... but still the same aches and pains of old age....can't wash them away.

Son reported in yesterday (he came downstairs) and said he'd found that an American CAN move to France and live there IF that person has money to live on (needs to prove it) and will not need a job, can pay as he goes..  He has money and won't need a job.  And the food is fantastic.   So...he now has a Future Plan.   Maybe I can renew my passport and visa and finally see the Art Museums- on a future visit.

My Master Gardener Partner has emailed...she had been going to a potluck (shared her food item in pictures and words). but this morning I see another email...Car Trouble.....Her car has 220K on it and is now at the garage....she is hoping it can be repaired.   Buying a new one would be a real economic stretch.  It's one of those fancy cars. Pri...something.  Very quiet. Gas and electric power.  Were very popular before Elon's Teslas.  The ordering of parts takes the longest amount of time.

I have a recipe card here for Rhubarb Crumb Bars.  I have everything needed....but after reading the recipe I looked at all the comments.....whoa...too much butter in the crust etc etc etc.  Problems with just about every level of this recipe.  See, if this was my column, my recipe on the internet- I would FIX it.  Not have the recipe everyone is correcting still there at the top....... as I read it- making the Crumb Bars as written- you'd have an inedible soggy mess.  Even the baking pan size is judged to be "wrong".

I wanted to make the bars-  I have rhubarb and I have everything else...it's like a small Lottery Win.  But now I doubt the recipe is correct...I don't want to go thru all the steps and then have something awful.

First off rhubarb, lemon juice, sugar and cornstarch...simmer over medium high heat.   There's just lemon juice (no amount noted) to simmer.....in the 400 comments- "use less lemon juice".  Wow.

 

A Wet and Chilly Sunday here in Maine....April 27th. 51 degrees

 Sigh.  I have on my corduroy pants, my thermal long sleeved shirt and a wool sweater- wool socks....and I am cold. Heat is at it's usual setting of 64 which felt toasty during the winter.but not now..  Outside the grass and flower beds are wet....the daffodils still look great.  The ones out front- always later with not as much sunshine- have started to flower amid the puddles of rain water.

I am considering walking down the hall to get my large scarf/shawl to wrap around my shoulders and neck. I was reading yesterday and for the first time- my eyes didn't want to co-operate.  So I went to bed.  Tired eyes might mean tired Joanne.  I slept.

Breakfast oatmeal was nice.  Morning paper not so much.  Elon might be (is) leaving Washington. Perhaps the Great Orange One asked him to go.  Tesla owners in Maine are trying to get rid of their cars. Dealer here in Maine can't sell any that he has in stock and customers are trying to return or trade in the ones they bought..interesting...how the Tide Can Turn......on Elon. I read that he left Washington DC.

Pizza today and possibly an Open Wheel Race but it might have already happened.  Some locations the race is very very early for Maine.  Then son gets up early and watches and then goes back to bed.

We'll be baking the usual Sunday Pizza....I plan on adding a salad to my plate today... romaine lettuce, carrots and Ranch dressing,  If it wasn't so wet I would check and see if anything interesting had grown in the back garden --herbs. I had a very nice herb garden back there at one time.....it seems like decades ago. I told you I planned to have another herb garden in a Grow Box out front.  Along with my usual ornamental flowers.....Megan might help me move and fill the container with soil. I think a few of them had wheels....  She helped me empty my big containers. I Did It All Myself Before......I think of Life now as Before or After.  Very very different.  Better.  In some ways and not so great in other ways.

I did notice the little Christmas Tree in the back garden has finally started to grow taller.  It was so tiny when I stuck it in there.  I'd found it out in the woods behind the house. ( I actually found the 20 foot tall one back there when it was tiny)  The Ancient Grape vines are covering the arbor now.  A bit of pink in the new leaves.  Needs fertilizer.  I might ask someone to drive me to a place where I can buy fertilizer for the grapes-- I recall using spikes..  Behind the grocery store is a good choice.  Feed and Farm.

Well, I've been up over an hour or more and I'm already tired...my 79th birthday is approaching.  I plan to equal or surpass my father--86.  90 would be a reach and possibly a Nursing Home. I don't want a Nursing Home.  Would rather be dead. I think most old people in a nursing home feel the same.  Rather be dead. This post can serve as my Legal Statement of Intent.  My Son should print it out.

Daily Notes for Saturday, April 26th. Raining...deep puddles of rain everywhere.

Might have had this already..

But I love the image as it looks like my closet. Minus the brown clothes.

Yesterday's book was off the shelf in my bookcase- even though I had so MANY books from the Library yesterday.  I read Summer Romance yesterday by Monaghan.   She wrote my favorite all time book Nora Goes Off Script.   I'll be reading another of her books- Same Time Next Summer today

While it's dark and raining and very very wet outside.  All the flower beds are filling with water.

I need to put on my socks.

There was a computer update last evening...I watched it start up...very quick.  Son reminded me that we got the NEW MAC so we could get updates....the old Mac couldn't handle updates. Updates???? No clue.

I read the news headlines when I woke up the Mac.....Now the newspaper to read what actually happened. It would seem like the "Tide is Turning" for the Pumpkin Faced Guy.  Impeachment sounds good. Disappearing completely sounds better.

Well, I need to put on socks- it was 60 degrees in the house when I woke up.....I tuned it up to 64 as usual. And I needed to turn on lights.... very dark in the house.   I need socks....my ankles have taken a chill. And I need to make an extra nice bowl of oatmeal.........perhaps the Daily Suduko will be easier?????? No.

Take care where ever you are and stay dry........
 

Good Morning From Maine- Still part of the USA. Clouds and Rain suggested by weather people for next 4 days.

 Deb L's Thread Ghosts.  I love everything about the things DebL makes.

So......Politics As Usual- Making Good Decisions is A Thing of The Past

Living in Maine is really nice right now- except for (spineless) Susan Collins--- We are so FAR AWAY from everything that we hardly notice the weirdness. (and we have eggs now)  Canada might adopt us. Or Trump might sell Maine to Canada.  Might be nice.  Hydro  Power....from the Canadian Border to US. And as a bonus really good French bread and Croissants.

I got Two Danielle Steel this week. At the Library and Two Susan Wiggs.  Better than smacking my head on the wall.  Still reading a book from my own bookcase- Summer Romance by Monaghan. She wrote my favorite book Nora Goes Off Script.  I read  Nora Goes Off Script and then go back to page one and read it again- Every Single Time.  Sometimes two or THREE times. I had to look up "Ship the Waitress"

I also picked up When Grumpy Met Sunshine.  Grumpy Guy.  Forget what sport he plays. Hockey.  I loved it the first two times....When you write a Grumpy Guy just right- it's the BEST.  Soulmate Equation had a Real Grump.  Love that book.  Center's Bodyguard and then Rom-Commers- had grumpy guys. I have them in the bookcase.

New software is being installed later tonight.. macOS Sequoia 15.41......son says this is why we got the new Mac- so we could download upgrades.  Old Mac could NOT.  Old Joanne finds it difficult to down load NEW INFO as well. But you can't buy a new Joanne at the Mall....yet.

Got nothing else to say....going to toast a Cinnamon Raisin Bagel and make a fresh cup of Tea.  I'm out of instant decaf coffee....daughter never bought me any- she is very busy at work.  Everyone where she is wants everything DONE right away.... Well, I need to make a second cup of tea and see if I actually took my pills this morning.....I think I did NOT.

I now have fresh raspberries for my yogurt and frozen ones...to add to my yogurt and Bran Buds. I also have stalks of rhubarb....which I might chop up and add sugar and cook down into a mush and then let get cold and eat with strawberries on yogurt.  Or make a tiny strawberry rhubarb TART.  Not a PIE- not enough rhubarb for a pie.  I love the stuff....so sour and yet so perfect.... Like Grumpy Joanne... Sour, Tart and yet Sweet (for of)

Good Morning....Thursday, April 24th....Sunshine- Oil Delivery yesterday.

 Very green here in Maine.  (image is not Maine)

I must have slept funny as my right shoulder is a bit stiff.  I am trying to read thru the books on the shelf. Tomorrow is Library Day and Grocery Shopping Day.  I have one baked sweet potato left to eat.  I ate all the vegetable soup...I have no sandwich bread- if I did I would have a grilled cheese sandwich. I might ask Son for two slices of his loaf...he might say No and refer me BACK to my sweet potato.......

The books I have left to read....have not interested me and some have gone unread into the return bag. I still have others......that I own and would enjoy reading: Eligible is one of those books. But reading that book would get me into reading the other Pride and Prejudice  read-a likes in the bookcase.  Not to be confused with the Jane books.  

There is the Danielle Steel book....makes me feel tacky somehow. But that one last week wasn't so bad.  I mean it was almost okay......I do have Cats and Dogs here but so far- It's a Baking Contest book I don't feel like reading any further than the 50 pages I managed yesterday.  I loved that book about the 70 year old woman baking......that was well done. I have forgotten the title.  And I doubt my library actually Owned the book.  Mrs ..........I can go back thru the posts to find it...made me cry at the end.

We stopped in to ATT and transferred the cell phone accounts over to my name.  Death Certificate etc. Turns out husband/father had set up the account perfectly... Son was surprised and actually impressed that his father had done it right.   I have always written the checks to pay the bills but...now they are My Bills. 

The Property Tax bills are also MINE.   Lovely.   

Mrs Quinn's Rise To Fame.    First query and I got it.  Hurrah.

Daily Notes- Wednesday April 23rd. An "odd numbered day" so I can have a banana. Sunshine.

 I was having a banana a day and getting acid reflux- so now- every other day- the "odd" numbered days. And the regular bowl of oatmeal with half the sugar.  I had imagined Senior Living to have "less rules".

I seemed to have slept well.  No bad dreams...not much ruminating on walking up- re-writing my LIFE so it seems better.  I doubt the morning  re-writes have any effect.....I will need to wait for the next Life... Hope for a better chance at happiness.  If we actually get a "next Life" which I am beginning to doubt.

The Daffodils are beginning to fade a bit....all that anticipation and....I hope they will last another week- perhaps two.  I now have a few of the blue hyacinths,  Very Nice.  I see no green on the peonies.  I know they have a short Lifespan but these have always exceeded expectations so I was thinking they might bloom once more. (and then I would want another once more next year).

The measuring for mulching the beds hasn't happened... perhaps he has sent me on that "hike".

I have five books to order from Library Loan.   Most of the books I had gotten and kept are not read and going back to the libraries they came from.   I need to order new books........or read from the bookcase. Or re-read my collection of Jane Austen read a- likes.  I haven't read Eligible in years. 

Tyler's Five Days- I might need to discuss with someone who has read it...or it might just be Tyler.....

Or not read today and stare up at the ceiling and wonder how my Life got so boring and empty.   I sorted scrap fabric the other day hoping it would spark joy and I would stitch and watch Law and Order and pretend Riley was napping on my feet.   Nothing.

Well, Oatmeal , the NEWSPAPER, the Suduko puzzle of the day.......socks first as my ankles are cold.  Tomorrow is another day- Scarlett O'Hara.

Daily Notes- Tuesday, April 22nd. Haircut and Cell Phone Place. Dark and dismal this morning. Book Report.

 I took a look and noticed puddles of water on the driveway...so it rained last night or this morning. Possibly Heaven's Tears for the Pope.  He will be missed.  I think the next Pope will be the opposite.

I am getting my hair cut later this afternoon.  And we are closing down the iPhone account for husband's iPhone. I will be taking over the billing. Son is going with me....my own iPhone sits here, plugged in and used for taking pictures occasionally....nothing else.  I don't like talking to people on the iPhone...I actually don't have anyone to call.  So a few texts every year. Everything else right here on the desktop which is new.........

I have lost contact with most of the people I had contact with.  They wanted to talk on the cell phone. While they were doing something else- like cooking dinner or shopping or driving the car or whatever.  I usually put up with it once and then was tasked with being the ONE who called....I didn't......call.

I am NEVER going to be a person who sits at the table or on the bench at the Library looking at my iPhone.  Ignoring Live, in Person people also sitting at the table or on the Library resting area bench..

I might no longer be a person who takes pictures with the iPhone and sends them to the computer. But I do occasionally enjoy doing that.  I can just use images already on my computer

Well, my ankles are cold...I need to put on socks- doing that in this rolling desk chair is asking for an accidental face plant on the wood floor.  Been there...not trying to do it again.

Yesterday I started the second 5 day book.  Anne Tyler's Three Days in June.  It is NOT holding my attention.....165 pages total- very faintly inked text, difficult to read.   At this point I don't care for most of the characters- the ex-husband seems nice (he made lunch- my husband never made lunch)....the wife and daughter are blank spaces. The groom to be- well, there is a question about that in my mind.. and another guy has been mentioned and is sitting in a pew further back.....  I usually have enjoyed a Tyler book but it has been decades since I read one......it feels like decades.

Well, that's it...I need to press FOUR (yes, an upgrade to 4 for my morning bowl of oatmeal..). An old dog can learn new tricks....... I have.

Daily Notes for Monday, April 21st. Sunshine here in Maine. 42 degrees,

 I slept well.   My back feels normal, just a bit of stiffness on the left side of my neck.  From the way I sleep I think,...No newspaper this morning- we don't get one on Monday.  I have a pile of unfinished Sudoko puzzles to shuffle thru and give each another try instead of reading the newspaper..

Yesterday we watched the open wheel car race from somewhere in Saudi Arabia.  Then we made pizza  and  baked my two sweet potatoes in the oven with the pizza and after we pulled the pizza out.  For me to eat for lunch today and tomorrow.  I love a soft baked sweet potato with butter and if I have any- melted Swiss cheese.

I am reading the newest Linda Holmes book. "Back After This" about a radio talk show.  I have Evie Drake Starts Over on my bookshelf and I have read her second book also....I ordered copies of her other books (I have not read) from the library. This author writes about difficult subjects....... many of those subjects relate to my life.  The books come with WARNINGS....  My Life Story would come with multiple warnings.  

I sometimes wonder how I survived.

But I did survive...mostly.  But not fully intact. 

Some daffodils have started sending up green shoots in the front beds...the empty beds.  I didn't know I had planted any there.  There is a lot that I don't remember doing.

Well, that's all for today...I knew after reading the warnings that the book would be difficult..but her books are always worth reading....the print is smaller than I am comfortable reading but there is plenty of ink. Tiny light colored print is impossible for me to read-  Well, I feel the need for breakfast.....later I have British Soccer games to watch.   And some Law and Order.   Cause it's Monday.  Law and Order Monday.on BBC America.  It will remind me of the afternoons spent with Riley watching Law and Order while I stitched cloth.   And I will need to get all the recyling and garbage ready for setting out tonight.

Daily Notes- Sunday April 20th. Sunshine outside but cold inside the house......Windy,

 Hand painted Easter Eggs I purchased over the years.  In Some European Countries that I visited back in the 80's (around Easter) I started collecting eggs.  And I also hand painted empty egg shells as gifts while living in Germany.   I found this old vintage egg carrier- I don't know where or when.  But it has held the eggs all these years.  None of these are mine-  I inked brown egg shells with black....they were wonderful. They were all given as gifts.... in small baskets with shredded brown paper as a nest. Simple yet elegant.

I started and finished Katherine Center's book Things You Save In A Fire.  I'd read it before (many times) and had it confused with another book....of hers....so I was happy to see I had ordered the WRONG book at the Library. Because it turned out to be the "RIGHT" book.  Now I need to buy a copy.  I have her books the Bodyguard and the RomCommers in the bookcase here at home....I need to add more to this author's section.  The Bodyguard is one of my favorite books.  And now the RomCommers is a very close second.

I select books to deal with emotional issues I am having........like self medication.  It's what I do.  Not all books work the way I need them to work..which is why I am so careful with what I read.

I admit to reading only so far in a book and then closing it and never finishing it.   I read a great deal and I am very very picky.... I do not suffer thru a badly written book.  I have stopped reading at the first paragraph of a book.. even a NYT's Best Seller- -.and have never gone back to it.  And never will.

I read everyday- a book a day at times if I have 7 good ones.   With a really good book- I will finish the last page and turn back to the first page and read it all again....immediately.  I read one very good book three times in a week.

Well, I have to order the book I wanted to read from the Maine Library service...My library has none of  Katherine Center's books.....I will photo copy the cover and  drop the images off at the locally owned bookstore...see if the owners can get me copies.....we'll see.  I have a list of her books now...

Daily Notes- Saturday, April 19th. Sunshine peeking thru the clouds. 51 degrees

 I purchased the King Arthur Pancake Mix.   Haven't made any pancakes as yet.  They advertise a Scone Mix but my grocery doesn't carry it.  I looked at all the mixes they do carry- 4?- and well, nothing else spoke to me.  But I have the raisins to make Oatmeal Raisin Cookies..... Someday. And noticed the recipe can be made in a pan - Oatmeal Raisin BARS........Now that might be nice.  

So far, my week's selections of books hasn't been great.   There is always backup in the Home Bookcase. but I am noticing a "lack of interest in reading" (meaning I am getting really picky about what I read)...I watched Soccer yesterday....took up a few hours. I am also having a few thoughts about painting- watercolor- just a piece of fruit or something that doesn't move.  And the pile of fabric scraps is right here waiting to be made into another square....so. no reason to be doing nothing.

Still using the heating pad...mostly on the neck and shoulder...the back feels normal.

Ah, the Sun gave up....Now it's cloudy and will rain a bit ....April Showers.

That's about it for today....I slept well but woke up feeling sad, tears in my eyes...   I have the newspaper, the daily Suduko (I can never finish) and wool socks to pull on.  Paper Headlines worry me...but they do that every morning since November of last year.  Measles outbreak worries me as well but it is a self inflicted danger- sigh.

Well, ankles are getting cold, I need to pull on my wool socks... eat my oatmeal and read the paper.

Friday, April 18th.....Library Grocery Store.......I got raisins and walnuts....Going to bake oatmeal cookies.

Poppy.   Finished the Sarah Adams book and found my Library has none of her books....So I will order them.  Or buy them.  I got a heavy bag of books....even a Danielle Steele for light entertainment.  that one I had last week was like an expensive chocolate.....Not something you want all the time....

Grocery shopping was a good- raisins, walnuts (for yogurt and cookies- but first of all- using the convection oven.   Turning it on).   I can't decide what to bake first.  My Son calculates I have purchased 15 pounds of sugar since he has been here living with me.......(used 10 ten)..  I do scoop a large spoonful into my oatmeal... I'm  going to try and use less.

My neck muscles are a bit tight but the back seems to have recovered......neck, I think, is tension.

It gets more and more difficult to find books to read....I picked up two reserves...  by the author of the Mary Jane book I enjoyed so much and will be reading again this week.

That's about all.  Daffodils have opened- in two colors....Hyacinth have started to open.  Easter is almost here.   I forgot I wanted to buy a Ham- for the holiday but we'll have Pizza.

I just got a message re: 8 good reasons to visit Maui.  I've been.  Zero Reasons to go again.  It's not my sort of vacation spot..... and I also got a disturbing email that the person sending it has been "watching me" so that was very very creepy.

I am home and in a while will have some lunch.  

 

Thursday Morning- April 17th. Shoulder and neck are fine- my lower back is seizing up. Tomorrow Hips?????

 This painful -ness was explained to me by my Son.  The raking of dead leaves off a bed in the back yard. Yes, it explains every ache and pain.  Today my back is seriously considering giving way......the shoulder is better the arm pretty good.  The neck- laughing- Still a pain in the neck.

I have a lunch date in 2 hours.  I have taken two Tylenol.  Usually they do things- but recently- like last day or so- they have done nothing.  So- Heating Pad until it's time to spiff up my wardrobe for Lunch.  Here in Maine that does not take much...for most women over 70, here in Maine,- it's a thick application of red lipstick in the general vicinity of wrinkled lips and extra hair spray on the every week hair salon bouffant..... Cat eye glasses frames with lots of sparkles.  Plenty of perfume.  I can't manage any of that.

I even find it difficult to sit next to.

My hair is too short, I have never worn lipstick (no, never), my glasses frames will be sparkle free as long as I live,  and my pants are corduroy from LL BEAN...In the summer they are 3/4 length  black stretchy something that cost over $100 from LL BEAN these days (mine cost 25 cents at the Employee Store)..

 BUT I did splurge one time and bought fresh new pants from the Flagship Store. I wear those. In the Summer....cause Fancy People From Away are all over the place in Maine.  Even ones you SEE on TV. Or in MOVIES.......Mainers never "notice" them...or ask for autographs......I've loved that about Maine forever......... I think I eventually saw the entire cast from the "White House Series".....

 I DO have an extraordinary new wardrobe that came down from the Attic and got washed and dried.  Expensive linen stuff that did NOT come from LLBEAN.  If it was warmer today, I give them an outing.

I will try not to wear a mended sweater. to lunch.... 

I have to admit....The dismount out of my Very High Four Poster Bed this morning took my breath away.  I stuck the landing but whoa. it hurt.  Two Hours until Liftoff....couch, heating pad.....socks.

Daily notes for Wednesday, April 16th. Cloudy, Chilly and Damp here in Maine.

 Some of My Favorite Things.

I spent yesterday on the couch with my heating pad on my neck and shoulder...NO BOOK.  I did nothing. I watched Bones and was tempted to watch Law and Order but it wasn't on yesterday-- so I pre-recorded a few episodes overnight...in case I would be doing the heating pad again.

I will be.

It's the right shoulder...I use my right hand to hold the books when I read...every day.

And now we are in day two or day three of NO book reading...I am bored by TV.  I am bored by just sitting and looking at the wall.  The only thing sparking JOY is the impending Lunch Date tomorrow.  Nancy did manage to get us a reservation confirmation.  She wants to have exactly what she had last time.. Has been dreaming about it.  Practically swoons when describing the dessert.......... I am going to get the same drink she ordered last time but not the dessert....well, maybe- it has espresso and it might be too much for me....I'm 100% decaf but a dessert that makes Nancy swoon......????And it's so tiny-I have to consider it. Affogato....I need to look it up.

Well, my shoulders are as tight as they can get- I am moving to the couch and the heating pad.

Law and Order.

Daily Notes- Tuesday April 16th. "I like Hiking but don't like telling people to take a Hike....." email to me...oops.

When stuff starts going in the wrong direction it's really painfully difficult to recover.

I finally finished the Wiggs book on the Amish guy and the ER doctor.  I have another one titled Welcome to Beach Town with an Airstream and a surf board on the cover..... the blurb on the cover mentions danger so it might go in the return bag before I get to double digit page numbers.  Not interested in danger. One other book went into the return bag also.  I might go looking for the heating pad.

I used to read very very violent murder mysteries...when I was younger. Now I can't stand any of it.

My neck and shoulder aren't happy this morning.  I don't even know why......Yes, I do.....I set out yesterday to start raking dead things out of the center island bed...lasted 15 minutes...but now I know I can't physically do much anymore.  So that will never happen again.  I'll stand and point.

I recorded a few Law and Order episodes.  For today. For couch sitting and doing nothing else.

The Morning Newspaper ....Janet Mills (Maine Governor) seems ready to go head to head with Trump.  It'll be a good fight. We'll see who "takes a hike".

Waiting to see if Lunch Buddy Lunch is on for Thursday.  Reservations are necessary.  I have a feeling patrons from the previous location of this restaurant are driving south to eat lunch here.... the food is that good.  The desserts are tiny but AMAZING.

Turbo Tax keeps sending me notifications (along with the NYT).  I guess they miss me.  I don't miss them.

That's it for today- looks wet out there....outside the window. I have my vitamin and statin to take and then two Tylenol and I might just sit on the couch and be feeble for the remainder of the day... I will get up to heat a bowl of the vegetable bean soup I made...later....and perhaps have a Ham and Swiss roll up even later.

My High Spirits of yesterday have vanished....along with the SUN.  The couch looks welcoming. But first I need to find the heating pad......sigh.  And the Tylenol.

I did that Old People Thing--I didn't have enough garbage to fill the bag to set out on the curb....I walked around looking for stuff to put in the bag....and then I said- what the hell are you doing to myself... and told my Son we only had recycling to put out.  Plenty of that.  I hope today is better.

Monday, Monday- April 14th. Sunshine here in Maine but only in the 40's. One Daffodil has opened... It's Lovely.

BambinoEspresso.  Small.

This is what I was writing about yesterday...of wanting...for NO understandable reason......I have been thinking about Espresso. (which I know nothing about)   Also I am out of Organic Decaf Coffee Crystals. I have my FINAL CUP sitting here next to me and I just took a big sip....enough of the bitterness...not too much to be unpleasant.

The chance of me actually figuring out how to make this Bambino WORK- are slim to ZERO.  I never got the hang of the Keurig.  But did like making a single cup of coffee.  We had one at work (greenhouse) that was simpler than the one G bought.  I used it several times a day.  My husband bought one with far too many bells and whistles for his limited capacity to use them.  We sent it off to Goodwill.

I believe we are sending the Button Loaded Jeep off to Public TV for a Tax Donation...for next year. Perhaps I won't have to send the IRS a check next year.  I would love that.  IF the IRS exists next year.

Not a Writer- I heard all of you-- say "you write!"  "You write EVERY DAY and have for over 20 years". That's what a Writer of three books (so far) has written to me this morning. And another the Writer of the first of her books.   I write with no plot.....which actually had me laughing till I had tears in my eyes.  Oh Deb- you are the absolute BEST.  Writing With No Plot.........here I go again.   

A great book title.  I'd take it home from the Library.

I am mid way in the Amish/ER Doctor book.  I was concerned and not enjoying the plot so I went to the end.  It's okay now, I can finish reading it..... I have read books where the end is not okay and was bothered by that endlessly. I try NOT to read those books.   I have had MORE than enough unhappy ugliness in my life (mostly childhood and teens).  I don't want to spend my valuable reading time going down dark roads.  My memories are dark enough.  Why I like a good happy ending.

On that sad note....I have my final coffee until next Friday's shopping day.....I forgot to get another jar.- my fault....but I like tea and I have those 6  eight ounce glasses of water to drink along with the tea - My memory is much improved- my balance is better, my attention span has improved (as much as it can at 78) And the additional walks thru the house to the bathroom and back have added "steps" to my exercise program (which is fictional).......changing channels on the tv is the most exercise I get.  Normally.
 

Daily Notes for Sunday April 13th. Shower this morning....I stayed upright. Dark dismal and wet outside the window.

 I found some interesting Chair images for the blog post...at least three.  

I was looking at one site offering me tiny Espresso Machines (I am actually interested in owning one- for unknown reasons).... at times it feels like I am living one life here in the present and another while sleeping or reading.  In that other Life, I would have an Espresso Machine.

Could be the books I am reading (not my usual rom coms) are changing the way I see things.  I read a Danielle Steel- Never Say Never...Library sticker says it's new but deals with COVID back when that began.... I was never a fan of Steele's books.  

The woman was vacationing in the South of France during COVID and had an espresso machine....and made coffee for the Famous Actor who visited.  Our friend Charlie had an Enormous Espresso Machine....... in his Florida house.  No one knew how it worked........in the house------ people who visited from Italy knew how it worked.

The book reminded me of Charlie and Trish.

I might have mentioned forgetting to buy raisins.....I had wanted to bake oatmeal raisin cookies.  Now I will make plain oatmeal cookies..  perhaps add some dark unsweetened chocolate chips. I have a jar of them.

I watched accidents on the 501 on the Weather Channel before starting a new book about the Amish ...... Accidents on the 501 is my fall back position for tv when there is nothing else.   The Canadian Police were out helping shove cars out of snow drifts just to get cars moving.  Another rescue was almost 100% ready to go and then they discovered  flames under the truck.  The second episode had a huge propane truck slam into s three story house or condo......when the truck finally got pulled away- there in the open house wall was a dining room table and chairs.  Still upright.   

Well, it's oatmeal and reading the newspaper time....I can't believe all that I have done and it's not even  TEN AM......... yes, I went from Steel to Amish....in the same day. Not kidding.......

Morning Surprise---It SNOWED!!! Saturday, April 12th. Everything is covered in white. My Daffodils will never flower at this rate.

 

Yes, please.

It snowed.  Overnight.  All the green I had going here in the yard is now covered in white.  Like an overdue April Fool's Joke.  

I am struggling to stay in a positive frame of mind these days....my son thinks not reading the newspaper would help things.....but I have read the newspaper since I learned to read.  I sometimes think I was actually supposed to write for a living.......and I lost track of my True Self.

These posts..keep me sane. Give me an outlet for the words piling up in my head.

This morning I woke up with a story in my head about a young man who couldn't read or write- a brain disorder- but he could listen to the thoughts in other people's minds.   He would sit next to them and tell them things...what was wrong with their knee or how to repair something they were worrying about. It feels like a good story and now I am wondering where it came from....

I recall telling someone about a dream I had and it turned out to be from a book I hadn't read.  I know...that's very strange.  But I no longer have those dark dreams...of being lost or riding on that bus in the dark night after night.  My subconscious mind trying to tell me I needed to "get off the bus"..... get a Life.  I must have gotten off the bus....thank goodness.

I made and enjoyed my final Grilled Cheese Sandwich for mid afternoon yesterday while watching British Soccer..   Now I move on to Baked Ham and Swiss Cheese rolled in a flour tortilla.  And of course the vegetable bean soup I made.....  I have six soccer games recorded.  I alternate with Bones episodes.  BBC American has Law and Order episodes but only on Monday...today is not Monday.

My Saturday Cooking Shows are being recorded...PBS has taken away a few I enjoyed and replaced them with strange new cooking shows...today I am planning to give these new shows a look/see.  Watch or delete.   That is my day....  I just stopped to delete 36 messages on my iPhone...I never read any of them. As they are from companies and not real people.  My husband regularly got loads of spam on his iPhone. He rarely deleted anything.  I delete everything.  We were mismatched 100% on every level..

Next Life ?   I think we make the same mistakes. Unfortunately.

 

Overcast and damp Friday here in Maine. Friday April 11th. 44 degrees. Rain.

Thomas Jefferson.

Grocery Shopping is done....No Bananas and I forgot to look for raisins..  Bananas were giving me acid reflux.  It has happened before. Years ago I was on a very strict diet....and I made sandy muffins from bananas and rice flour.  Gritty. But it resembled a "carb" which I wasn't supposed to be eating...... I lost 60 pounds and kept it off for years.   I can no longer do that sort of thing.....and I am not working like I was at the time...lifting heavy trays etc in the greenhouse.  Now...as my Son says, I am in a chair all day......and reading doesn't use too many calories.   But he worries if I leave the couch....worries I will fall down, hit my head etc. again.

Yes, Deborah, I loved that book- Mary Jane.  I didn't return it today as I want to read it again... The bookshelf reordering (in the book) reminded me of the piles on the floor as my daughter put ALL my books into Alphabetic Order.  Even when I didn't have space for all of that.  I wondered about the eggs in the pancake nests....... 

I got a bagful of books from the Library- I ordered on line....they arrived from all sorts of Maine Libraries. I work my way thru them...one a day like Brain Vitamins.  

This morning the phone rang- I was still in bed but had been awake- thinking........I was asked if I was interested in selling my home- and the polite man- gave me his name and said my name and my address......I said "no"...and he said okay- are you interested in buying a new home?  I said no.  He said thank you and ended the call.   I mean...I vacuumed all the floors just the other day....

The recent helicopter crash reminded me of a Law and Order episode....Family in the copter and it exploded and crashed......same here- a family- 3 children.  On vacation.  Seeing Manhattan from the water side. Law and Order it was a mistake..someone else was supposed to be in the chopper.

 

Daily Notes- Thursday, April 10th......Sunshine here in Maine......42 degrees

 

I really really really would love to have this to eat today.    Yesterday I FINALLY made SOUP. It's very tasty.. (but is not a loaded bacon cheeseburger)........I had a nice bowl of soup for dinner (I had two bowls) and will possibly have more for whatever meal I choose to eat today.....I do want to have another grilled cheese sandwich.  I seem to have gotten past "loss of appetite" in the Widow's Calendar of Events...but actually like eating dessert more than main dishes.  So, Possibly still following the Widow's Calendar of Event.  I am sleeping....which REALLY helps with feeling better.  More alert.  And the water drinking chart.....I am hydrated.  I haven't gone out for the mail in my pajamas or anything...Son goes out for the mail....after I fell down that one time and broke my glasses and had blood etc on my face.  I don't go.....

I am recording a Harrison Ford movie.....and well, truth be told, if you have seen ONE Harrison Ford movie you have actually seen them ALL.... This movie is 6 days 7 nights..or the opposite  7 days and 6 nights??????  I was watching it but the number of commercials got to be TOO MANY and so you got me writing to you instead.

I found something on the library website....lists of books..... I got to the 68th page and there were hundreds more...but the interesting thing- once I found a book I liked on the list I found new books of the same type that I hadn't read in that list..  12 pages in tiny writing in my notebook.  Sort of a Back Channel thing. I had never seen it before and I can tell you...when the library moved and I was still working there....I was sort of in charge of back channeling....not due to any talent for it but no one else wanted to sit in front of a computer for 8 hours a day.  Anyway...I now have lists of books I have never read.....and it's like Christmas here in my head.  I can just order books on line (from libraries all over Maine) and then pick them up on Friday......no meaningless wandering in the stacks.  (spell check wrote measles). Spell check is ridiculous....

I sat writing in the notebook so long that my neck got all stiff and the muscles hurt...So today I am watching movies and/or soccer.  I have several choices for the Daily Book.  Another Boring Day here...if I had raisins in the house I'd make Oatmeal Raisin Cookies in the shiny expensive oven.  I put raisins on the shopping list.  I can also put them in with my oatmeal and water before the microwave- button three.

That wiggly colored blur thing is starting up on the tv again...sigh..I haven't had to reboot the thing in so long I was hoping it had gotten over doing that.....Son will recall wanting to purchase a new- larger one. And you all know my thoughts on the new larger screen......well, books won't read themselves.......

Wednesday April 9th. Sunshine but snow over night...34 degrees-- Green grass and one patch of tiny daffodils has flowered.

Former place of employment sends these images and info to me every day.  I might have taught the Healthy Soil Class.  I seem to recall teaching all the classes they send me via email..

I slept well, the house air is dry so my face feels very tight. Need to moisturize.   Fate and BBC America gave me my Second Favorite Bones episode last evening.  I recorded it.  Feels like a Lottery Win. Again.

I made myself a Grilled Cheese Sandwich yesterday and then added sweet pickles to it...very very nice. I used to cook all the time but then husband stopped eating ANYTHING I cooked....he liked Grocery Store Prepared meals and homemade chicken soup...period.   So...I stopped cooking and found a grocery prepared meal I liked...I ate that and also made myself a grilled cheese sandwich on other days.  We also had Sunday Pizza (like Son and I still do). And the pot of chicken soup made 4 days dinner each week for my husband.... the bowl piled high with soup noodles.

He was well hydrated.  Possibly kept him alive longer.

Patty wrote to remind me that her Rhubarb Plants had died a few years back.....I kept hoping for a renewal- I side root that started growing....  but then recalled a question at a class I taught and me telling the class that Rhubarb lasted years and then suddenly died and needed to be replaced with a new plant. 

 I will have to write rhubarb on the grocery list for Friday.  In thick black marker.   In past years the open vegetable display often had rhubarb stalks. Mixed in with the carrots, celery  etc.

I tried to buy a red grapefruit...Son took it away from me....I take a daily statin....no grapefruit. Ever.

Well, I have to eat-- I'm actually HUNGRY......but first I need to moisturized my face- feels extra extra dry this morning.   Oatmeal...and the newspaper.  I am grateful for the Sunshine today.
 

Dark, Damp and Dismal here in Coastal Maine. We are expecting Mixed Weather. Snow is possible.

 I bought pancake mix- the dry part- I would need to add things....But this stack looks mighty nice.

Reading another new to me author.  Jessica Anya Blau.  Mary Jane.  A young teenager takes a summer job as a babysitter......(in her neighborhood).  The husband (of the family of three) takes on a new client....a rock star with a drug/anger problems and his girlfriend comes along.  It's delightfully WEIRD (80's) and would have made a great TV comedy. If I have already written all this in a previous post- I'm old- I will be doing that more often than not....it's my blog.  Get over it.  Thank you Deborah.

I am reading the book slowly as it is fascinating....the whole group has now moved to a beach front rental house.  They have told some untruths to the babysitter's mother so the young girl can come along and babysit and cook for them (using her mother's recipes)......  They have had pancakes for breakfast with a fried egg in the middle of each pancake..  I feel like getting out the old 80's music CD's. and making pancakes (no egg in the center).   Nice to have goals......

So...a book......recorded English Soccer......oh, and I vacuumed the floors yesterday...central vac hose...I had forgotten how annoying it can be.  Like wrestling a 20 foot snake. Today's Suduko puzzle........ wish I could notice SOME improvement in my skills.  But no..... it's cold so my procrastination on Soup Making will come to an end today....I will make SOUP.    Like right now.....once I get going I enjoy cutting the vegetables up... The Process of Cooking......once cooked- I will return to my couch and read. Eat the soup later in the afternoon.

Procrastination always amazes me....I put things off and off etc and then when I actually do the "thing" it takes like 5 or ten minutes.....and I say to myself-- WHY did I put it off????????  Been doing this since I can remember....it dumb....and I continue to do it...... Emotional Defect....

Monday April 7th. I might stop Writing this Blog Thing. No one seems interested anymore....even me. I could write all this in a notebook.Is the World changing that much is so short a Time??????

My Master Gardening Classmate went to a Rally yesterday and sent me this picture.   

Son and I made our regular Sunday Pizza- wonderful as usual.   I haven't seen him as yet....I think he stays up very late and then sleeps late etc......California Hours.

I am reading a book titled the Bee Keepers Ball.  So far...Bees and a wedding being planned.   Also memories of Europe in the time of Hitler by the older members of the family.   We are beginning to read about abuse of some sort to the lead character by a Chef in Town.  It's getting dark....I was hoping for a nice romance.   I wasn't prepared for darkness.

I haven't checked my Stock as yet.  Not that I can do a damned thing about it.

I watched some Political programs on PBS that I usually AVOID......I'm now sorry I did.  They seemed very very worried.  That and the book and Hitler has made me reconsider any more NEWS.  

I went looking for a puffy (soft) shortbread cookie recipe- my daughter brings me these very expensive cookies- one dollar per cookie- and they are large and not as dense as a regular shortbread cookie and have a tiny teaspoon of jam in the center.   I like them.  Thought perhaps I could make them.  With a recipe.   I have a list of ingredients.: Flour, butter, sugar, eggs, milk, baking powder, salt.  Well.

Well, there's a chill in the air.  I will check the furnace......and then retire to the couch.  Read some more of my book.....watch some British Soccer....check the thermostat to see if I need to up the temps.   42 outside here in Maine.  

 

Sunday April 6th. Drizzle and light rain today here in Coastal Maine.

 I need to work on the picture files.  Use the iPhone which just sits here doing nothing...

My Son and Daughter packed up all the Hazardous Materials in the garage and took them somewhere Official for Safe Disposal yesterday. Several packing boxes full of Round Up.  And Other things. I think it was the first opportunity they had for Safe Disposal this year.  We got interested too late last year.

Husband must have forgotten he bought a gallon of Round Up and bought another-- on a long lapse of repeat.......I would never let him use it on anything...there are cancer warnings on the label and it is applied in a spray so the chances of inhaling are very great..  Now it's all safely taken away.

I have a new recipe to try for a Baked Oatmeal and Fruit Breakfast.  I have the banana and in the freezer- very lovely frozen strawberries.  I have all the things needed to make the recipe.  Even the egg. 

l'll notify you if I actually make it.

Reading the Misadventures of a Back Up Bride.  I may not finish reading the book. I thought it would be funny....it's actually weird and sort of X-rated.  Well, way more than "sort of".

Today is Sunday Pizza.  Minus Football or Open Wheel Racing.  I do think my Son watched the racing earlier today.   Depending on the venue- the races are televised at strange hours. The venue in China was middle of the night.

That's about it for me today....I have been reading and then watching random things on tv.  Completely off any schedule at all....other than the 8 ounces of water I drink four or five times a day.  The last three GOOD books I have read- made me cry.  And I have read them before and not a tear...but now...actual crying.  So....emotions are unstable.  I knew it would happen eventually.  And the daily newspaper headlines do nothing to help the situation.  Emotions and Stress and Fear of what happens next...

I picked up two recently published decorating magazines in the free magazine shelving at the library and clipped all the images of chairs.  I liked that project I had of drawing chairs...line drawings...now I have chair images and can sit and draw a few...get back into drawing which I actually enjoy.......line drawing specifically.  Sigh if I had know I was good at it- I could have gotten an A in my college Drawing Class.  It's nothing I actually ever LEARNED to do........I can just do it..... it just happened way AFTER college.

I was bored to death yesterday and just clicking thru the channels and my favorite Bones episode was just starting.....Finder.  Year Seven.   I watched it, enjoyed the heck out of it, and then went to bed.  Lovely when things like that happen. Serendipity.

Saturday April 5th. No wind,, cloudy sunshine, 41 degrees

 I've had this image before but this morning I decided to buy the hydrangea  when  available and make my front porch look like this.   Even the sidewalk matches mine...And the tree way back to the right.

Okay, I may have already said all these things....at 78.5 I repeat myself...all the time.  It's one of the "joys" of old age....... not something anyone really enjoys....... the elderly brain is working on sorting memories I think.   Recalling joy and sorrow.   And when it finds joy- it likes to talk about- on repeat.  Better than recalling sorrow.  Once was quite enough for me....I tell myself that when I recall things.

My grocery shopping wasn't the best yesterday...   I am going to run out of prepared things to eat.....and that means- (laughing) I will HAVE to COOK.   I might only venture far enough into "cookery" to make a simple homemade vegetable soup.   Or a pot of rice topped with peas from the freezer and sweet soy sauce. Some butter also.  I do like Rice and Green Peas.  My third cooking choice is Kraft Mac and Cheese served with canned baked beans.   Okay, now......I have food.

I left the Road Best Traveled yesterday and watched some news........wow.  Just wow.  At the end of that horror  show I was glad most (almost all) of my savings is in a Trust.   But I would miss my Social Security Check....when I go to the grocery store or pay for heating oil and electricity.  Imagining all the folks NOT getting their checks.....It might just be Time for the Second American Revolutionary War.

I wonder about the Singular Power of "Just Say No"......... and recall the image of a pile of burning Tesla cars......we do have the power to say NO.

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.