Daily Notes for Thursday September 3rd. Clouds and what looks like RAIN.. Wet sidewalks.

 One of my Favorite Things.... for lunch.  With pickles.

On this cloudy, cool, damp day in Maine....might just fire up the stove and make one of these.  I might even make some "adapted" canned  baked beans....I add stuff....makes plain canned beans into something wonderful.

My lawn has NO CLUE as to what to make of this wet damp day.  Now I know why the lawn guys came earlier in the week.  Prepping the lawn for watering.

My car didn't pass inspection yesterday... A long ago Honda recall and repair wasn't done right and now...and now I need to have what wasn't done right taken care of.  It looks expensive.  But NOT as expensive as a new car would be.  And at my advanced age...new isn't something worth the expense. 

I think my Son scheduled an appointment for the work to be done....it's drivable. And it's the only one of two cars I can get into and out of.... for grocery and library.  And perhaps eventually doctor..

I had to get up and turn on lights....  The bones in my neck are snapping and cracking and making so much noise.  I'm looking forward to hitting publish and making it over to the couch for the remainder of the day. 

I discovered all the books I checked out this week at the library..... have BEEN READ by me in previous decades...and they were NOT GREAT the first time.  Time for a deep dive into the HOME bookcase. One or both bookcases.  I could watch a few more Hudson and Rex episodes.  Or if it's find-able-  Storage Wars. I do not want to watch anything that requires my brain functioning at high capacity..  I sorted cloth scraps yesterday.... nothing needed my attention or a threaded needle.....perhaps there will be more interest on my part today?????  So many tubs full of still folded brand new fabric....and I enjoy using scraps.....

Well, it's 3 days into September and I haven't changed my desk calendar....sigh.

Daily Notes for Wednesday September 2nd. Sunshine here in Maine. 75 degrees

Yesterday's book was Heartbreaker by Julie Garwood.   Same FBI guy as the book with the alligator and black snakes.  An earlier book before Garwood "hit her stride" as they say....I'm giving up on page 83.

I have one more Garwood on the shelf but it seems very old as well. With vintage tiny type.....I have stuff in the bookcase to read.  Killjoy will go into the return bag unopened..

I have three older Jane Green books on the shelf-- Mr Maybe is the one I chose for today..... We'll see if I have outgrown that book as well as the others.  Plenty in the bookcase here at home.  Bet Me is calling my name....and has been but the swampy alligator book..I might just have to read that one out of the bookcase.

Why not????

Son has taken my car to be inspected....he'll do computer stuff while he waits and also have lunch.  The new tires were necessary in order to pass inspection also the Town Tax Sticker.  Maine is an Expensive State.  Lots of stickers.  Coming up soon is the tax I pay to LIVE in my HOUSE..... October. 

Well, I have cooling tea sitting here by my right elbow and the couch waiting behind where I am sitting... I have to choose a book or a TV program and get started....... my cup of tea was double sugared so it's Georgia Sweet Tea and I like it.  Take care...perhaps tomorrow's post will be more interesting.

Daily Notes for Tuesday September First.. Sunshine and not a cloud in sight.

 Postcard from Provence.

Last of the Oranges.   Will it EVER Rain?????

My hair is wild and wide from the recent shampoo.  I did a load of wash yesterday and got it all out of the dryer this morning...folded and back in the drawers.  My hair has gone rogue.   I can't make it do anything but what it wants..

I found papers (in a box yesterday while "cleaning") I purchased copies of the Declaration of Independence etc. while visiting Washington DC. Long ago.  I also found a stack of directions for making small quilts...they came with cards I could send to friends etc.  When I had friends I sent things to.  I lost the friends along with the cards...perhaps misplaced both..... 

Moving so often...packing up household and never actually returning......I lost more than a few packing boxes....I lost friends...I lost roots and memories that connected myself to others.  I was left with just myself for company.

It has to be enough.....but was it?????   I am trying to finished reading the Garland book I started so long ago. I brought home 50 pounds (exaggerating) of books yesterday.  I have books to read...so why do I spend so much time looking out the windows??????

Daily Notes number 5461. I've written that many. Sunshine here in Maine....

 Postcard from Provence.

Today is Library Monday.   New books...nothing was ordered so it's going to be a difficult visit.  Searching for things to read. On shelving packed with both fiction and mystery ...there is often nothing "new" on the "new books" shelving...they spent over a million on knocking out walls and ZERO on books..  

We now have a very very large empty space library ...sound echos.

I spent some time yesterday looking things up...authors etc.  I don't recall keeping the list.

I added another round of strips to the red rectangle.  Not a Square.  Something "new".   The strip of dark cranberry picked up on a small line of the same color in the mostly red rectangular cloth (how a square became a rectangle is ....a surprise).   It now has an entirely different vibe...wants to expand. Grow.

I am enjoying the cleared and expanded emptiness of the right side of the living room...all I see is Very nice wood flooring...  I'm in the section supposedly designated as "dining room"........now designated as TV/Sewing/Clutter Room.

I watched a few recorded episodes of Hudson and Rex yesterday.  Nothing much happens. Which is fine as I rarely pay attention to the dialogue anyway. The scenery is very very colorful....the houses painted in bright cheerful set of eight  colors.

Yesterday Son was worried as I was acting more spacey than usual....I was tired and had run out of uninteresting conversation.  Nothing happens here....I could give him a report of the status of the book I am reading....or the cranberry cloth strips???????  Or the itch on my right foot. Or the way my hair was acting....it needed to be washed and I washed it this morning...in the dangerous shower.

So here we are on another Monday...Maine had HOPED it would RAIN. Overnight. I am saving SO MUCH Money on NOT having the grass mowed.  

Well, another glass of electrolytes.  "get salty" and I will be ready to visit the Library. 

Daily Notes from the northern most edge of America. Was sunny and now cloudy. 74 degrees

 I have some scraps of color matched cloth sitting here waiting to be sewn into a square.  But I have MANY Hudson and Rex episodes recorded and I do enjoy watching the show.....and I have Ideal Man next to me on the couch if I decide to finish reading it.  And perhaps something else on the shelf to read before tomorrow's Library Visit.  The "Library" has decided to NOT be open on Sunday afternoons... "going to hell in a hand basket" sums up their new approach to serving the community.

Divorced fathers brought their young children to the Library on Sunday.........

I have given considerable thought to taking a walk on my dead end street....but have decided again and again that it would not be in my best interests.  It felt doable last year.  Not this year. I am not steady enough.

I found a  book my husband was writing things in.....long ago . (a diary of sorts that I gave  to our Son to read...) while continuing my short spurts of decluttering.  10 or 15 minutes is actually very doable and as  a Virgo I can get quite a bit sorted etc.  It's in the DNA.  I can also make quite a mess while doing a project but I always clean up after myself.

I did NOT sleep well last night and woke up way too early...If I was able to Nap I would be looking forward to one in a few hours.   The bones in my neck are making a great deal of NOISE. I'm moving to the couch and sitting quietly with my book in hopes of the noise going away.  I have British Soccer recorded and PBS has again let me down...showing the same awful vintage stuff.  And asking for money. Never explaining what they did with last year's money...since we had ZERO new programing.

Daily Notes for Saturday August 29th. Sunshine and no breeze shifting the tree leaves.

 I FINALLY have all the things needed for the BLT.  And mine actually looked like the photo yesterday.  Not as much mayo.  Son asked me to assemble the next BLT   "on a plate".......  so today, a plate. 

I have had my electrolytes.   Feeling "salty".

I have been notified that there will be a Software Update later tonight. I'm supposed to know what they are talking about in saving documents and quitting any open apps.......I have no apps.  No documents. I Will ask son to take care of things...if there are any things.

Am I the only one who wonders how people get hired to make service calls...the gal today was talking like the 8 words in a sentence were all one word and she was being timed to get that one word out as fast as possible. Before I hung up on her...she "almost" made it.

In a Lifetime Ago, I worked on a help line for a magazine publisher...talked to quite a few Prison Inmates who were also  employees of the magazine.... they had the numbers I needed.  It was interesting....I usually was quick enough to end the call before it got "off track".  No one spoke as fast as the gal who called me this morning though.

Yesterday's (and today's) book is Ideal Man. Still going with Julie Garwood and the FBI.  I checked the shelf and there is one more Garwood....Library is Monday---plus three more by other authors new to me..  No need for a panic attack.  Bookcase is FULL of books I own.

Well, a flash of something has settled in my right eye so I won't be reading anything for awhile;  It's a sparkly curved line.  A nice rest on the couch with closed eyes will do the trick. 

Daily Notes- Thursday August 27th. Sunshine here in Maine, No Rain, Brown Lawns.

 Postcard from Provence. 

I am always very very impressed when this artist shows us a reflection. That is such a difficult thing to get right. Amazing.

My book for yesterday was Mercy by Julie Garwood.  There was a swamp and some alligators. But they made it home safely.....  Momentarily.  Next up is Murder List.  I collected a half dozen books from various places in Maine....Interlibrary Loans.   One a Day Reads.  Better than Vitamins. Or Tranquilizers.

We've been hoping for RAIN.  But the Drought continues.  No ocean breezes either.

I filled the bottles with water and then filled the three birdbaths early in the week,.and check on the water levels from inside the house.... ready to refill as needed.  

I have one more birdbath in the back garden (4th) but Haven't and WILL NOT try and pull it out of the weeds and wash it off.  (that's for Son and Daughter to read)...I mention things and they think I might try to do the things myself...NO.  I 100% know I cannot do what I used to do.......I will not drag a bird bath out of the weeds.  But ONE of you can....yes??????

Today's book is Murder List.  Garwood.  

I have melted Arnica under my tongue and hope it works on the stiff muscles in my shoulder and neck.  Hurts.  It has been working....I lift and roll the right shoulder hoping to ease the tightness... I can hear bones rubbing bone when I turn my head. Old Age is a Bummer. 

Well, the couch is calling my name....and the heating pad is ready to go.  I might get so comfortable I fall asleep.....Ha!!! that never happens. (but new things are always possible)...but today is NOT a day when I can Swiffer another room.  It's the couch and heating pad for me.  Take care...I'll be back tomorrow.

Daily Notes for Wednesday August 26th. Sunshine here in Maine...76 degrees

Postcard from Provence.
 

My hair is quite WIDE this morning......but not as WIDE as my hips. (that could be the first two lines of a poem.)

My  decades old clothes fit- even a bit loose.... but my arms, hips and legs look MORE substantial than they have in quite a few years. If ever.......so not sure what is going on.  But it COULD be my eyeglasses making everything larger. Except for cookies...they don't seem larger.

 My son says I hardly eat anything.  I would mostly agree to that but....things I like.... I do eat those things.   I still enjoy my Ham and Swiss roll ups.. one a day.  And my toddler sized ice cream cups possibly one a week..?  They are hardly ever on the grocery list.. and bananas...for potassium. One a Day. I rarely, if ever, have dinner.  Or make dinner. 

 I am reminding myself to have a glass of my "salty" electrolyte solution. I got the bottle out of the fridge and had a few gulps. Checking that off my list.  I have a few more gulps to empty the glass.  4 ounces.

Yesterday the "Spirit Moved Me" and I moved furniture around here in "my space" aka the living room/dining room .   Enough open space for dancing if that was something we ever did.  I'm glad the wall to wall carpet was removed decades ago..  I was thrilled to see expensive hardwood under the carpet. The guys removing the carpet wondered if the people who covered the hardwood were insane?  Stairs to the second floor also were carpeted....same hardwood under the carpet. Zero hardwood under my bedroom carpet...so we added some.  I love it.  Reminding me to use the Swiffer floor thing in there today. Got some dust. Under the bed.

So that's all for today... I'll sit on the couch and enjoy the  Swiffered (by me) expanse of hardwood.  The new setting of the table by the front window (shoved over by me).  There are still some fabric tubs that need to be carried --by some one younger----to the Sewing Room..  I have enough scraps of cloth here on the ottoman next to the place where I sit all day....to last FOREVER.......no need to stack up more.

I continue to watch  Hudson and Rex. (John Reardon is why I watch) As many episodes as they provide in the afternoon..  But did eventually see fit to record ones being shown later in the evenings.  The Park Ranger series is also on that (blue) station and I should be recording them....I found a channel (I GET!!!!!) with Law and Order all day long. (not BBC America)..but might save that for Winter.  Plus I've seen every episode several times.  I can practically say the dialogue along with them from memory.

Sigh.  Well, I wrote a lot when I started out thinking I had nothing at all to say.

Daily Notes- Tuesday August 25th.

Postcard from Provence

 Dentist.. was actually perfect yesterday.  So that was excellent.

I'm melting two Arnica under my tongue to try and get rid of the snap crackle of my neck bones. Tension I guess.  From yesterday or from this morning's shower....At my age I worry pretty much the entire shower expecting a slip and fall.  Was just fine and my hair is bouncy and starting to curl as it dries.

I am going to sew the strips (eventually) of red I found yesterday after a massive search...... to the small rectangle of strips of darker red and black.  I looked everywhere for that fabric and. Then found it about 2 feet away from where I was sitting...under  bunch of things.

Watched the Canadian Police procedural yesterday....two episodes. Then two recorded episodes of Antiques Roadshow.  Today I plan to read and rest my neck.

The grape vines out back have stopped flowering and are now perhaps making grapes????  We desperately need it to rain.....but I doubt it will. 

 Global Warming is giving us a Shock Treatment Warning this Summer. Hot. Dry.  Hotter. On Fire.

The two large pots on top of one of my German Cupboards are now in the garbage bags.  Next time daughter visits I'll ask her to climb on the step ladder and vacuum the leaves off the top.  I know better than to think I CAN.  Climb on a step ladder safely.  Actually, if honest, I was never safe climbing ladders.

Daily notes for August 24th. Cloudy outside here in Maine.....Dentist Appointment for me. ICK...

 Postcard from Provence Art.

I've said this many times before- so reminds me of the path to the right of my front door when I lived in Germany....brings back good memories.  there was a restaurant down the path to the right...sort of a Beer Garden.  We went once. Husband and I.....and then never again. He just couldn't "have fun" with me. It was mutual for sure. 

I watched TV yesterday instead of reading.  Cable tv is expensive if you can never find anything to watch. I settled on this BLUE  STATION something Police Procedural set in  Canada....just north of Maine... seacoast living with cottages painted in candy colors....like they are here in Maine if you drive far enough along the Atlantic Coast.  

The cottages are vintage here in Maine with zero insulation.  Meaning no one lives in them once the weather gets chilly.  Ah the Sun has arrived.

I have been trying to renew a prescription.  With my Primary Care Doctor Office.  The recored message says they are "too busy" and I should email them. Thru my Patient Portal.  Everyone who thinks I'll do that put up your hand.........not doing that. Ever.  Last time I was there they didn't schedule an annual checkup either........too busy.  They might fit me in if I email the portal.  Laughing.

So Dentist.....I really really do not like Dentist Visits...usually just cleaning which is   UGH!!!!!! Ruins my entire morning just thinking about going.  Well, I am going to try the prescription thing once more. 

Daily Notes for Sunday August 23rd. Son has opened windows 74 and sort of cloudy.

 Postcard from Provence.  Cherries.

I started the day a bit late....lots of things have started spooling in my brain.   Things that worry me, bother me, irritate me......remind me of things I no longer wish to think about.  Too bad there isn't a "shred" button in the memory to get rid of things that bother us.  But I guess there is - it has quite a few medical names. No cure.

Tomorrow will be a fantastic DAY as it's Library Day and I have four or five books waiting to be picked up. I have a bag full of books to return.  I read most of them.

Today is Pizza Day....son is setting up all the items....preheating the oven.  I assist as needed.

I spent quite a bit of time searching the Family Recipe Card File while sort of watching Storage Lockers. I was looking for Peach Cobbler and found Cheer's recipe...I recall it being quite a nice cobbler.  She must have made it for one of our shared pot lunch dinners while I worked at the Library.

The fridge is making strange noises.....ah, it was my Son making strange noises.

Someone who was a Dear Close Friend and then told me to Rot in F-ing Hell among other things...has sent me an email today..just like nothing happened.  Not sure what to do.... she was discussing her grapes...I did reply that my grapes looked good. 

 From the house...I haven't been down in the weed covered overgrown mess to see if there are grapes.   Too dangerous for me if I tripped over some vines or something else and split my head open.  The space is separated by several large wood framed boxes.  Something blue is flowering down there.  Looks quite nice.

Daily Notes for Saturday August 22nd. Clouds...would be nice if it rained.

 Image from Postcards from Provence.

This morning...one of the very large and wide and heavy Christmas Cactus up on top of a tall European Cupboard...fell...hit the floor but didn't smash the clay pot... it's collected branches are now in the garbage bag.  The one on the right might decided to drop... lonely up there by itself.  But, I sort of like the clean spare look of the cupboard sans cactus.  I need to vacuum the whatever off the top of the cupboard (have someone tall vacuum the dust and dirt off the top for me). 

Re-arrange (more likely get someone to rearrange) the large metal restaurant use trays the plants sat on.  Center one tray and then the cactus.   If it plans on staying alive.

I grew these mammoth cactus from cuttings I collected from the greenhouse floor (at work).  It's been decades.  Reality strikes yet again as the clock on my Time Here runs out.  Most of my elderly relatives made it into their 80's but no further.  Better than husband's family where the men never got past their early 60's.

We seesaw between windows closed and AC unit running and windows open.  Which reminded me of my own bedroom windows.. now closed for the day...because it feels like rain.  I would like it to rain. My very very dry brown lawn would welcome rain or perhaps the ground is like cement and even a hard rain would serve little purpose.  It's been a dry summer here ...no storms pushing off the Atlantic into Maine.

I was (hand) sewing strips onto a square and went looking for additional fabric for strips 3 and 4.  Took awhile. I gave up....and then like magic there it was...a nice quarter yard right adjacent to the couch all along. .   Sewing the next two strips is like money in the bank....no hurry to spend it (or sew).   British Soccer.... watching it while it's here to watch.  The programing comes and goes..like the tide.

I bought peaches. Five Beautiful Peaches.  A cobbler sounds good.  An old Southern Georgia recipe card.  A throwback to the beginning of my story.  I hope it rains....

Daily Notes for August 21st--we skipped a Day. Get used to that..with me. Zero sense of Time.

I love this kind of quilt.

But I am way way too Virgo to be able to make one.  Rules....Straight Lines.....colors that play well together.   Those are the rules.

So I missed a day here...get used to it....getting OLD is a Fascinating Experience.  Today is NOT Library Day....I was so sure it was...but I did have two bills to write checks for, add stamps etc to envelopes. I had to check and recheck the date....when you are retired and have no plans...difficult to recall what day it is.

But EVERYDAY is DAY to REGRET TRUMP'S ELECTION.  FORTY TRILLION in DEBT.......how many zeros?   That Air Craft Carrier is finally on its way home to Los Angeles.  It will take weeks (a month) to get there. I never heard or read anything about them being supplied with fresh water and food. Or having the bilge pumped out.

I watched the very end of an FX movie and the very beginning of the second movie following.  And recall watching that same ending and that very same beginning twice now....over a span of YEARS. FX is not a station I land on regularly....what are the ODDS of only two visits and exactly the same two movies??????

Yesterday's book was (still is) Susan Wiggs Map of the Heart.  I've read it before.  I occasionally enjoy her books.  Not often.  Why I checked it out at the library is beyond me. Has lovely cover art. I must have judged the book by it's cover...twice now.

I was hoping today was Library Day as I have asked for several good books and was hoping to collect them today...Instead I will read one of the newly purchase books my daughter has brought me....I already know I MIGHT not like most of them.   Her buy list is out of date.  I've outgrown long time favorite authors.  But that Viking book sounds promising.  I'll let you know if there are rats. In the place where they live.

I'm running low on Lunch Food.  The cheese was sliced too thick and the ham just right.  So I have ham and no cheese to roll up in my flour wrap.  I have one tiny yogurt... one lonely slice of Sunday pizza.

Daily Notes- Wednesday August 19th. Sunshine here in Maine...77 degrees

 Had no clue as to what this pictures was- pickles.   I used to can pickles...when I had a vegetable garden. When I went outside and did work.   Now I sit and read......occasionally I sew small pieces of cloth to other small pieces of cloth.....often I cut them apart because...I just didn't like them together.

I got a postcard from California asking me to remember to vote on  November 3rd.  For Democracy. For Troy Jackson.  Now...he's not the best person to be running for the US Senate.  Our Maine Republican Senator isn't going anywhere ...she still has billions of $'s to slide into her pockets.

I'm not sure I've ever met anyone who HAS voted for her in the 30 plus years I have lived here in Maine. Unless of course my former cross the road neighbor did....it's a good probability.

I am a Democrat living in a very Republican State.  Same with Ohio.  There was wiggle room in Chicago but not much statewide.  But I have never given up on HOPE...it springs eternal.

My book (started yesterday) hasn't really gotten off the ground yet but ...I've read it before so I know bad things are going to happen on a regular timeline........everyone is dressed up and going to a big Fund Raiser. I did find and order four more Garland Books from other libraries... and they are on their way.... pick up on Friday.

I should print out a list of the books so I can check them off.  I hesitate due to my problems with the copier...  Even Son had problems.  Never mind- I wrote them on paper here next to me.

I also copied down a NYT zucchini recipe and oh my goodness....the  NYT comments section is to die laughing...no one not even one little bit...makes the recipe as printed...they add, they subtract etc etc and then they write in to tell everyone... the one that has me laughing is an adaption for something baked on a cookie sheet adapted into a 8 by 8 square pan and then a Bundt Cake..... I copied it down since I do love a good Bundt Cake.  Will I bake it... Hell NO.  It's August and Son has shut down the AC unit.

I just located my book...and I am taking my Arnica because my neck bones are making a snapping noise.

The delights of Old Age.... 

Daily Notes for Tuesday August 18th. Cloudy here in Maine.

 We may have had this image previously....I have used it today and sent it to the garbage can on the computer screen.   So we won't see it again...hopefully.

Yesterday and today's Garland book is Slow Burn.

The last of the books at the library....so now I have to order from "other libraries"...I was told they "got rid" of the rest of the series to "make room" on the shelving.  I doubt I have ever imagined my Library getting rid of books......I have a list and will be ordering the missing books....

And just so we are on the same page- the few remaining books by this author were on a 2/3rds empty shelf.   

That's it for today.....I'm tired...I am one month away from my birthday.  

My hair looks pretty good today.

My clothes fit.

Dentist appointment next week.

Monday. August 17th. Cloudy with a chance of HUMDITY????? Looks like Rain.

Zucchini Pancakes.

I've been promising myself  that I would make some of these....and old old favorite...of Only Me in the Family Unit.  I recall being shown how to make them by a teenage bride (pregnant) who lived across the hall from me in Georgia.  Those years in Georgia were Never Dull.  And the food was fantastic.

I am dressed and ready to visit the Library... Son divided the outside adventures so I didn't get tired and loopy.  I hope I am not confused about this.....I need to replenish the  Library Book Shelf.

He sorted out my tv listings deleting stations I never watch and adding a few....I watched a strange sappy mystery set in Newfoundland.. and then had to get the big Library Atlas the Librarians gave me because they didn't want to toss it in the dumpster.  They thought I could use it for Art Collage...

Instead I used it to find out that the country I was looking for is right up there North of where I am sitting.

I doubt the Maine Train that sits in the station next to my grocery store goes up North.  But I might check and see.  I often thought ....long ago...that when I got OLD ( like I am now) I would ride that TRAIN south or north and when it got to the end ...ride it back home again...never getting off until it arrived at the station next to my grocery store..  Enjoying the view and lunch.

My Reality is Never as Interesting as My Imagination.
 

Daily Notes for Sunday August 16th. Sunshine and 73 degrees- no AC needed

 An abundance of blue.

I personally have an abundance of very tall WEEDS.  Everywhere.  And the two mice we found dead and dehydrated in mousetraps over by the south wall of the kitchen

Today's Garwood book is Sizzle.  Library is tomorrow so I will gather up a few more of her books. and perhaps a few Linda Howard.  I might try and find a book list from ten or more years ago...try and read the ones with a star.  I kept a notebook or two of lists of books.

So..I'd best get on to my book reading....Not much on tv.  Making a Library Book List for tomorrow's visit to the Library.  I have one more Garwood to read- Sizzle......and if I remember correctly..it does.

Sizzle.   that's it...now to reheat my coffee and settle into the couch.... I took a morning shower and my hair is very very shiny and WHITE.  And if I am truthful...WIDE.

Today is Sunday pizza.  I've been reluctant to have a salad with all the poopy lettuce going around. But I do have some shredded vegetables I could mix into the last of the Ranch Dressing for a nice salad. I could but we'll see if I would.....take care enjoy the day.

Happy birthday to someone special!!!!!!   Love you!

Daily Notes for Saturday August 15th. Sunshine here in Maine and 75 degrees..

 Scabiosis

Also do not have this in my garden.   Reading my second Garwood book The Ideal Man.  Not a favorite. But I will read it to the end and then start in on Sizzle or Slow Burn.  Get more when I visit the Library. Also suggested daughter pick up ANY that have FBI in the front cover blurb at the Summer Library Book Sales she attends....  Wired was great.  I see that word "great" so often in books....I have gotten to the point where it is hugely annoying. He's great.  The garden is great.  The food is great etc etc etc. 

I'm at the point where I am leaning toward writing down the dictionary meaning of that word. And sending it to a few authors. He's great. She's great etc like that has any significant meaning for the Reader. What makes that person, thing, food or event "great"????  Tell me...

I read ALL of the books by this author when I was given the Winter off from my Greenhouse job. This was after a few winters of terrorizing books by an author I have blocked from memory.  I can't read that stuff anymore.  The closer one comes to eternity the less you enjoy fictional death.  But a good FBI book by Julie Garwood......entertaining.

At some point I will make a phone call to my cable provider and see if I can get Turner...and watch old movies.   In one of the books I love reading  the two people watching movies together watch  His Gal Friday and well....I recall that movie...watching it at my grandmothers house when I was 10 or 12.....  and thinking I would like to have that sort of relationship.   I never did.  And I never will.

Daily Notes for Friday August 14th. Sunshine here in Maine....

 I own something that looks like the vase over to the right.... I also have boxes of artificial flowers in the Attic.   I would fill a vase and have it at the end of the Circulation Counter where people retuned books when I worked there.  Nothing that "welcoming" is going on".

I have a very large glass vase on the table in front of the long stretch of windows facing the front porch. Daughter brought down the boxes and I selected flowers.  I made a short but wide arrangement she didn't like but...I stuck to my guns as they say and it's the one on the table.

When Fall arrives I'll ask her to carry the box down again.....I am still not authorized to go up the stairs. And I have no plan to go up when no one is home.   It's the going DOWN that is not in my best interests.

I got up late so Son has gone to lunch and we will do groceries when he gets back.  Time has little relevance  to my Life so....it matters not.

Julie Garwood's  Wired was the perfect book for a middle of August read.... I looked on my Library Shelf and I selected two more.....feels like I gave myself a fantastic gift.  Today it's Ideal Man.  Library is Monday so I'll read one or two of the new books daughter brought me.  There is one very large hard cover by Mary Kay Andrews- Road Trip that I have never seen before or read. Also got me the Newcomer which I may have read long ago.

If you are reading this Sam- on your next Book Sale visits- try for some Garwood..

Daily Notes- Thursday August 13th. Another Summer Week comes to an end

 I have nothing that looks like this anywhere around my house.

Wrote checks for two bills....

No Book Chosen to be read but daughter brought a few new ones from a  Used and New Bookstore. Not sure about some of them.   Haven't chosen anything to be Today's Book.

Hallmark TV is 25 years old.  I watched one movie yesterday...recalling why I stopped watching them. But the guy actually touched the woman he was supposed to like so that was cosmic..... no kissing.

I'm considering a phone call to my cable company-- so I can watch Turner Movie Channel.   Old Movies. For a few weeks and then cancel.  I'll be up front with a few weeks and cancelling.  I've checked their list of movies and I like a possible 5 to 8 of the hundreds listed.   Actually would be happy with just the one.  The office one with Rosalind Russell and Cary Grant.  Where they argue all the time.

I used to have this channel but then husband chose an all sports package...gag.  I have so many sports channels and no one watches ANY of them.  Husband watched Wipe Out.  Never watched SPORTS.

A very very slow start to the day......if I lived alone I'd still be in bed. With a book. Possibly crying.

I'm considering a Knight In Shining Armor for today's book.  I'll cry a lot but ...at times it's a good thing. But daughter ALSO brought a new Beach Street Bakery Series book- one I haven't read,  Sunrise By the Sea and a Mary Kay Andrews book.,,,,, Road Trip which I definitely never read.  There is another "read once" Mary Kay Andrews book....I liked it even though there was violence etc. so that new book is also an option.

I'm thinking I HAVE read Sunrise by the Sea.... I'll

I moved something by the Sunporch back door by the sink.... two very dusty mousetraps were DISCOVERED and two very dusty dead MICE,  I left a note for my Son...if I had found them yesterday before daughter visited..I'd have had her move them....trap and all.into the garbage bag in the garage.  Buy new traps. ICK!!!!!

The very very tall wide pot of red geraniums across the street gets redder and redder as the days pass. Quite lovely but I prefer the pink flowers.

Daily Notes for Wednesday, August 12th. Sunshine here in Maine. 78 degrees...

 This mess has a name.  But I can't spell it.  Zucchini, Tomato, Eggplant, Red Bell Pepper.

I have eaten it...in France. And here in Maine.  I like it.   A cartoon Rat makes in one of my favorite movies. Rat-Tat-..........

I have a feeling today is going to be hot.  But Son has the AC unit on off...unless it just stopped working???  It is old....

I have a recipe here using 4 ears of corn with kernels grated off the cob, 6 ounces of bacon and 12 oz of orzo.  Some chili spices and oil and vinegar.   I doubt there is any bacon in the fridge. Nope. Parm Rinds in the freezer might work????   I have been considering steaming some nice white rice. Adding Peas. I checked- I have peas in the freezer.....I love rice and peas.  With butter and sweet soy sauce.

I am considering FOOD and that makes my Son happy as I have been quite reluctant to actually make meals for myself....so I hardly eat anything.  Cooking for One does not come naturally to me. I think that has something to do with "one's feelings of self worth".  I'll find the page in the book where I am supposed to write things......write about food and self worth.  Might even be a page for that.

So I'll be finishing up the reading of  Dolly All The Time. (or not) ...title mystifies me.  I have every book this author has written but doubt I will buy this one.... Annabel Monaghan.  "Life's Great Disappointment"  Which could have been a better title.

My temperament has improved (substantially) due to the ironing of my shirt......yesterday....and today this same shirt still looks great.  Nice lime color.   Limeade.   I have just enough ham and cheese and flour tortillas to get me thru the day today and tomorrow I'll have Toasted Cheese with pickles..  or vis versa,  I've run out of bananas.....  Grocery is  one day and  Library is now a different Day.... My energy levels were not good when we did both.

Even typing this has been a struggle...I had to delete and redo etc etc etc. And honestly...The Daily Notes BORE me and I imagine they BORE you as well.

Daily Notes for Tuesday August 11th. The Sun.....77 degrees.

 Yes, please to a nice bowl of pie and ice cream.... that pie crust looks yummy.

So...here we are in August... hot sun and the AC unit running. Zero Baking. Reminding me of Georgia.

Yesterday I pulled clothing out of the closets in my bedroom......decades of expensive poor choices. Lots of LINEN.  I pulled the clothing out because my Son thinks I could/should dress better....in public.

In reply I got out the spray starch and the iron and pressed all my very old short sleeved linen camp shirts from LL Bean.  They have a boxy shape. No darts.  The one I have on now is not ironed as I dropped the spray starch can and broke off the little spray nozzle.   I have to wait until  Grocery Shopping Friday to get a new can.....lucky for me... most had already been sprayed and pressed flat. This one I am wearing is going to visit with  a VERY hot iron as soon as I hit publish.

Yesterday's book was "NOT the book I though it would be"... I skipped around in the pages but it was not going to get any better.   Today I will be dragging a chair over to the tall German cupboard and selecting a new (old) book from the shelves.  This tall wooden cupboard that comes apart and lays flat for easy transport...is one of My Favorite Things.......It's held dishes, cloth and now books.  The actual short romance bookcase used to be owned by an old friend.  The doors have lost their glass.  My friend filled it with folded quilting fabric.  I fill it with Love and Romance books. The tall cupboard has Mystery, Murder, and Kidnapping.  I used to read ONLY Murder, Mystery and Kidnapping. Some of it very very dark. One book on the Library shelf here at home is that "sort" of book.  Which I will read...first.

My Lawn is a nice honey beige color...with occasion strips of nice green where there is permanent shade.  It isn't growing....so the guys have not been around to mow.  The back fenced garden has gone wild and I am wondering if there are grapes????? on the tall arbor.   I know there is an abundance of flowering ground cover and weeds...in the beds and on the paths.  The Guy who weeded all that died.

Well, I need to heat up the iron and get the wrinkles out of this shirt I am wearing...tidy myself up.

Monday Monday.......August 10th. Transitioning between clouds and Sun. 74 degrees

 I have a full drawer of these things....And those tiny brushes always get stuck between my teeth.  That curved thing to the far left- I haven't a clue as to what it is for.

I was checking out mail-order clothing as son says I need new clothes.  I doubt I need new clothing to sit around on the couch all day.  Which is how my days are spent.  I sew, I read, I watch tv and sometimes I draw and color.  My Time is occupied...  I need new clothing to wear to the grocery store, I guess.

Later today I will rotate some items from the right closet to the left and from the left closet to the Goodwill Box. The Right closet holds items from the Attic....newer 'old" stuff.  I noticed last year that the stuff in the never worn right closet FIT.  So I am less "bulky" than I once was.  Still have HIPS but not as much.

I found some more painted circles to use as bookmarks.....well, it was a postcard but now cut into long strips to be used as bookmarks.   

My "Master Plan" for the next few days is to drag the Central Vac Hose around the wood floors and sweep up dust and hair (mine) off the wood floors.  Take my mind off this morning's nightmare.  I died. Yep, in my dream, I died....Fire Dept called etc.........going to library. NOW...

Daily Notes of Sunday August 9th....Sunshine and 79 degrees.

 White linen clothing.   I've got plenty of the wide white linen shirts but NO extra wide shorts.

 I don't wear shorts.

I have been tempted to spray starch and iron a few short sleeved linen shirts.  I have a wrinkled one on right now.  I wear the nice ones on Grocery Library Day but not ironed.   Lifetime Supply.

Today is Sunday Pizza.  Will be great when Football Starts.  Time Fillers for Long and Boring Days. I can see why old people talk to themselves....  I already do.

It's taking me forever to finish reading the. Bad Luck Bridesmaid.   I might just give up and start a new one.... 

Yesterday I wasted time on that show where they bid on Storage Lockers. OMG.   I've sunk to that level... Law and Order would be huge upgrade....but I chose CSI: Vegas.- Seemed to pair well with storage lockers. Similar Ick Factor and color scheme.  Well, I have nothing to do and need to get started on that.

Daily Notes on an overcast and cloudy Saturday in Maine.

 If I had "planned ahead" in the back fenced garden....I'd have these tall planter boxes.  With the wide edge so I could sit and pull weeds.   But who guesses so far ahead re: cartilage in the knees disappearing??????

The Sun has come out from under the clouds....  House is still cool enough...  My Son is suffering upstairs. My Daughter is suffering where ever she is weeding along the ocean front.  I'm considering returning to a long sleeved linen shirt.  I have on short sleeves.....  Old People chill easily...winter is a real "treat".

I watched VINTAGE CSI last night.  Did not pick up a book......  

Yesterday I did an extensive cleaning of the disposal in the sink.  Very CSI. We don't use the disposal (septic tank)  and if I knew of a plumber I would  have it removed.... (and would also have my leaking shower head fixed). I had to clean the kitchen sink drain because some large glass stones fell in when I was changing the water in a container. I had to stick my hand in the slime mess to find the large glass beads....and NOT accidentally send them down into the pipe.   So DISGUSTING.   

But I did it and lived to tell you about it.   It's Saturday and there will be some British Soccer.  An Ice Pop out of the freezer... cooking shows... not much else. Ah...several glasses of water to hydrate the BRAIN CELLS of this old woman.  I have zero projects to work on...... but do have a book to finish reading...

Then I will indeed need to think of something to fascinate me.

Friday August 7th.... 80 degrees already and it's early. 81. Whoa.

 Pretty much what my shower etc looks like.  minus the black grout. And the leak.

Robo Call.. Charley (this time)....cough...cough... and I hung up. I wish I could press a button and have his phone blow up.   Lovely to consider.

Son has a PLAN for today... I have forgotten what the Plan is.    The Library is not part of the Plan. which is okay as I have unread books on the shelf- he says Library will be Monday.  

I set two large plastic tub lids in the uncovered space at the bottom of the window blinds to shade us from the SUN. AC window unit is running.  Large ceiling fan is spinning.

I think we are on our way.....no.....well, in any case.  I should consider my menu choices for the coming week where it pertains to my LUNCH.  Ah, the shower is running........I had chicken nuggets last week so should have something else this week?????   I also had grilled cheese and pickles.

Daughter suggested we buy Flavored Electrolyte this week for me.  Delightful.

Three husband-less women have owned and lived in this house since it was built.  Well, they had husbands (at some point tin Time)..just didn't live with them.   I'm number three.

That's it for today.....

Daily Notes with Some Interesting Tidbits. August 6th.

 

I FINALLY recalled what I wanted to share with all of you... we all remember the President hot gluing fake gold styrofoam coated stuff to his White House fireplace???? Yes?   

Well, What To My Wondering Eyes Did I SEE on Hallmark a day or so ago????.  A movie about a king and his household and there on the front of the fireplace-  "look a like" gold additions to the Hallmark Fake Castle Fireplace. All shiny and cheap.......

I am wondering if the Memory Impaired President watches Hallmark?????  

The Deer came and ate the ONE LILY...it was quite lovely the day I got to enjoy it. I was going to take a picture of it but...I did not. and now it's too late.

I added a "touch" of fake  Splenda pink lemonade to my Electrolyte Water... excellent. Very Drinkable. Today's improvement is a straw.... I still have trouble with temp of the water- very cold...gives me a "sinus freeze". My target (in next hour or so) is to get the level of the water to the bottom of the label or drink it all..  I do best with a target.

Later I have cold chicken nuggets from the grocery to polish off.  Today is Robo call day...everyone who speaks after I say hello... says their name and then clears their throat....I wonder if that is is the script????? Say name and then clear throat.....this is my cue to hang up.

We have added the window AC unit to the mix today as it is supposed to be getting HOT today.  Not a problem for me as I am running cold most days....even to the point of using the down cover on my lap when I read.  Son has gone out to have lunch.... I have an hour or more to "run amuck".  

Laughable.  My book is one I have read many times.....I like The Ending... so I'll keep going and then pick something else.  Bad Luck Bridesmaid.   There is another Bridesmaid book I enjoyed....those brides never made it down the aisle either.

Daily Notes for Wednesday August 5th. Sunshine and 76 degrees in Coastal Maine.

 I had an image for you but can't get it to transfer here... the computer is new but the website is old.    I drew this in one of the date boxes on the desk calendar (the 13th).  I like filling the calendar boxes with drawings.   And here it is....finally arriving.

 Don't have much to say. My days are pretty much all the Same and nothing exciting happens....even the flies that make it into the house... don't fly they just drift real slow.

My Honda is getting new tires....prior to its State Inspection. A number of things have happened to this little Honda.  A recall on the entire back end of the car... was pretty exciting....daughter and I exchanged cars as one was being fixed and then the other.  Both had the same recall.  I even drove husband's huge black  Land Rover for awhile..........All the Land Rovers eventually got a recall notice.

I prefer Honda.

Well, not sure what is going to occupy my DAY today but so far...it's been the newspaper, the Suduko and my Oatmeal.  I haven't finished my breakfast coffee but did take my pills.   That pretty much checks off the majority of my Daily Activity.......I do need to drink my Electrolyte Water.  Select the Book of the Day for reading.... Perhaps sew another handful of scrap cloth into a square or rectangle. (size of a large index card)....quite a few library books have gone into the bag unread.  Bad choices.

I am slogging thru a book ...nope...I gave up on that one.  Rich people having a difficult time....yawn..... This next one "Bad Luck Bridesmaid" ...I kinda think I read it already.  Like a few years ago.  We'll see.  then I might just give up and read something out of the book case here at home.  Or sew....Or just stare at the wall like my old cat used to do..   Old Age is Miserable.

Things could be worse- I could be hauling myself to the Elks Club for Bingo.  

And Here It is Tuesday already.....August 4th. Sunshine and 79 degrees already.

 This looks like something I should know the name of.......I don't.

Spent yesterday evening with the Rovers on Mars, a probe sent to the Sun....History Channel. No reading.

Son is going to lunch and dropping off my unwanted Library Books...

I picked up two new lighthearted Library  books yesterday after lunch.....I am reading a book with more "physical activity" than I am comfortable with....the couple just met......she does know he is a cop....the uniform is a great hint when he's wearing it.   I also have a terrifying book....Karen Slaughter's Triptych.   

A bit of everything....I even got a book with a pink cover-- a romance?????  One can hope.

There is a potential gathering of cloth scraps next to my ottoman.....trying to get my attention. Trying to get me to thread a needle and sew them together.   I did sew a nice happy square  together the other day but ran out of fabric scraps so...it can't get any larger.... and I left it somewhere and can't recall where.  Getting old is really a strange thing.  It's like the brain pathways are all dead ends.  Eventually.

I had my dose of Potassium (banana) and my Fluids (salty water) and now I am considering a walk down to the Sewing Room.  Today is supposed to turn into a HOT DAY with HUMIDITY... yesterday was Cool and Wet..  I liked Cool and Wet......it was comforting.

Well. that's all the News Fit To Print for today....  there is no Soccer.no more Mars Lander rolling around in sandy soil... or rockets heading for the Sun...and Hallmark...just no. Law and Order was dull the few times I have tried it lately......and I did so enjoy Lennie.  I could dig around in the BIG GERMAN Cupboard for a book....Lots of them in there...I could read the new book daughter found- with Vikings. I could read a Vintage Trade Paperback about Kidnapped Women locked in the Ship Captain's room. Usually she has a chain around one of her ankles..... Wouldn't get published these days. 

I did like the one where the captive woman was actually a Ship Captain herself and chained the men up and took the helm during an awful storm.. Now that one was a delight.

I need to drink some of my Pediolyte.  (spelling is not correct). It does seem to help though.  

Monday August 3rd.....It's Raining...Pouring Rain here in Maine.

 We haven't had much Rain this summer and front lawn is brown and back lawn is green.  Looks like it might have stopped... nope- just the wind has stopped.

I have a lunch date today...in 2 hours.  

I started this before going to lunch....and then forgot to return...Lunch was a delight...good food and excellent company.  BLT and a nice layered chocolate cake and pudding dessert in a tiny cup.

After lunch we stopped at the library and I picked up  my ordered books and few others....My friend and I also looked over the "uncovered library "new"  construction" and neither of us had much to say...it all looked the same.  Except for the couch along the wall.  Why??????? In the entry way would you have a couch???? 

   We checked out books at a card table over by the stairs.  We even climbed the stairs to look at the second floor... reference-- which actually had books on the shelving units....they'd been empty for months. 

I might have someone who will weed a bit for me....cross your fingers that I do? Please.

Daily Notes for Sunday August 2nd... cloudy and 74 degrees.

Margaritas.

I haven't a clue as to what is happening with the internet or my email.  I sent one but the person it was sent to never got it.  I sent a new reply but not sure that will get there either.  We were sending emails to set up a lunch date.

Watched a bit of Hallmark yesterday and then got sleepy...so set it to record and will finish watching it today.  I squashed two more fat black flies yesterday.  Not sure how they are getting into the house.  But once they get in- they like the living room best of all....but did find one sitting in the kitchen sink a week or so ago...

Yes, she finally got my email we ARE having lunch tomorrow.

I sewed a few of the scrap fabrics I have on the ottoman next to me...I sewed the scraps into a square. And then went looking for some...it's been so long since I did this I have forgotten what the fluffy stuff between the top and bottom layers is called.  Any way after looking in EVERY STORAGE TUB I found a few yards of ....drum roll....batting.  Gosh being old is such FUN.  Not.  Next up is finding backing fabric.

I need to finish off the first bottle of the salty electrolyte solution I am drinking to try and correct my something.   Not sure what...cognitive????something.

Well, I have things to do....I didn't make a list but I'm sure I'll figure it out...I already made my bed.  Got dressed. Combed my hair.... Prepared and ate breakfast and read the newspaper and tried the Suduko.. That's quite a lot of "doing"..... and it's not even 12 noon.

Daily Notes for Saturday August First.--I skipped a day.......just noticed that a minute ago.

Iris.  Siberian.

Another flower my Grandmother had in her gardens.

When I was finished with College Instead of getting married I should have gone to live with her. My Grandmother.   There were plenty of places I could find work in her neighborhood. I would have perfected my Strudel making. I would have learned to sew my own clothing......tailor my own clothing.

Would have, Could have...Should have......  Living one's Life backwards...and then forward with a different outcome. Like a Hallmark Movie.

I'm closing in on the last of the race here....just have to go with it.  Fresh Calendar Desk Page...Always a great BOOST for me.  I have two bottles of Electrolyte Solution.  The one last week tasted awful but the next day I was more alert etc.  "Try New Things".  A lunch date with a former Greenhouse co-worker.. Always in August and Always my favorite Summer Day.

I watched some SPACE on tv yesterday.... saw the last of Maid in Manhattan,  Never stay for the entire movie.  Also some Vintage CSI and then for dessert.....last 30 minutes of a Hallmark Christmas Movie.

No book reading for the past few days....I even hand sewed some strips of fabric into a SQUARE.  Feels like Off Roading....Oh and the July resident FLY was seen floating over to the front windows so I put it out of its misery.  Not like past years and almost a dozen flies.... helps to have the chimney cleaned out.

Well, got nothing interesting to share with you.....and the salty bottled water needs drinking... I bought fabric dryer sheets for my Laundry.... just for a change... maybe I'll like them...maybe I won't. In my Family Circle they always side with Won't...... I have a Negative Personality????? I think Discriminating Personality.   British Soccer on USA Today....and cooking shows unless I forgot to record them....yep forgot...

 

Daily Notes from a Very Sunny Day here in Maine.....76 degrees- Rain yesterday "was but a sprinkle".

 This image came with a great many ideas and suggestions for a Happier Healthier Life.  I walked away with a decent image of green peas being a Protein Source.  And that was ALL. Well. I have HAD all my shots and I do sleep well so...that's good enough?????  I could drink MORE water.....

I have a Birthday Lunch Day (next week) with a former co-worker. We try to fit it in between both of our birthdays.  Early for me and late for her.  

She reports that the Perennial Yard watering system (at my former place of employment) is clogged with gravel....so they are having to hand water with cans or a very very long hose (or hoses connected) from either greenhouse......the Good Times would SO NOT be Rolling.

I trolled into the 4 digit stations on my Comcast Offerings.   Set three things to record... they may or may not......  I have seriously lost interest in my cable offerings....deadly boring now that World Cup is over. Tennis was an option but the sound of the tennis ball was making me sleepy.  And please do NOT start with the STREAMING......I cannot...Stream.  I live with a former Silicon ValleyTech Guy...if it was possible, he would find a way (to shut me up about it).....and there is no way. 

I typed a bunch of stuff but it was too personal etc etc....so... I CAN say I enjoyed my morning shower and my hair is nice and fluffy...... daughter also got me an older Johanna Lindsey book with Vikings at Goodwill...Oh My!!!! Usually it's crabby Sea Captains.....but a Viking....wow. 

I have Julie Murphy's newest book here and it's a Real Snooze.... sigh...it goes back tomorrow . Unread. Quite a few..if not all...the books I get at the Library these days....go back unread.....the newer ones...which is why I look for Old Favorites. 

Well Son has left the building to go to Lunch... I actually cannot think of anything terrible to do while he is gone......climb a ladder??? No I wouldn't even try that.  Watch MSNBC?  News?  No No Way..... Stare at the ceiling?  Most likely choice.   Have a nice day.....

Daily Notes on Wednesday, July 29th. Was sunny and now cloudy.

 Groceries.  Right now I wish I had a protein to eat with my coleslaw. I don't.

I filled the birdbaths with water and sprayed the long sidewalk stretch filled with tiny brown ants.  Stuff is good- they stopped moving.   It's organic....somehow death is better if it's organic.?????  Grass is growing on very Sandy Soil..  

I happened to watch some news...please don't let that happen again.

We are supposed to be getting lots of RAIN.

I can't believe it's Wednesday- feeling like Friday.   

A button came off my rosy pink linen pants this  morning so I now have pink and white patterned pants on. I did sew the button back on the other pants.....possibly time for me to do a load of wash.  so I can continue to wear the same outfit every day.  Like a uniform.

One of my "newer" jobs is sweeping up my hair off surfaces. It sort of drifts off my head.  But when I comb it- no hair in the comb.  So a mystery.  Just now a nice bunch off the back arm of the couch where I sit. 

Possibly because I finger comb my mass of hair before inserting an elastic band and some pins. I like it long but also like it gathered into a very small knob of hair.  Soccer Hair.

I've felt shaky today so have been having water and bananas... Going for more water as soon as I hit publish.  There was an article (NYT) on using canned beans from the pantry to make great meals.... what's that saying all horse and no saddle?????   I like beans....but none of those recipes.

So...Rain Coming.  Recalled the author of a series of terrifically scary books....gonna order some.  The origin of that Will Trent TV Series.  Which is ridiculous. Possibly would have worked if Will was actually Six Foot Five (or taller) and restored a burned out vintage Porsche all by himself.  I'll see what my Library still owns.....

Book One of Will Trent is arriving later this week from ANOTHER LIBARY.

Daily Notes for Tuesday July 28th. Sunshine here in Maine,,,,forecasting rain. which never arrives

 Peas are supposed to be the next great thing to eat....  I actually love peas.

My inbox...keeps giving me protein and nutrition advice,  There must be some magically thinking going on ????  I have always eaten more vegetable items than meat, fish or eggs (three items I often find icky) and feeling in the mood to enter the kitchen I mixed up a few items into a very nice Cole Slaw and served up a nice portion for myself.  Would have been GREAT with a few Fried Chicken Nuggets.  But I had already eaten them.  Days before. Possibly more than a week ago...

I watched the Little Women movie I had saved on TiVo from Fox.....Fox was YELLOW ALERTING me that I had seconds left before they erased it from my TiVo Storage Bin.   So I watched...then I watched a favorite Christmas Movie from my TiVo Storage Bin,   Two great things....no book reading. Resting my Reading Eyes.

I have a stack of various green and black fabric SCRAPS next to the couch.  With some vague intention of sewing them together into a square???  Hand Sewing. 

I have two more items in the FOX YELLOW ALERT area of the TiVo.  I have a stack of really great books on the Library Book Shelf..   I have the large front window to gaze out... a few small Toddler Cups of Ice Cream....and the possibility of a nice cup of coffee.....all good things.  (including the construction of the Mars Landing Rover.) I have that set to record.  I live a varied and often misunderstood Life.

I also am feeling tired...it happens every so often...also my neck tendons are stiff and hurt-- quite a bit- tension still in them...I think that's from worrying....(about what? no clue) so I am going to hit post and settle into the couch and wait for any more surprises that come my way- books, movies or whatever. A NAP???  It's Summer so the heating pad around neck???? no , just no.  but I always give in and wrap it around my painful neck muscles......

 

Monday Morning...July 27th. Sunshine here in Maine. 77 degrees.

 Cornmeal Poundcake.

Last time I baked- can't even recall when that was--I secretly baked corn muffins.  A favorite of mine. I ventured into turning on the new oven all by myself.....I'm never quite sure I recall how it works... very techy.... little red marks and numbers.  Possibly as the stove is sold in various countries that do not speak or read English.  Though I recall seeing the word HOT....

Yesterday I watched one and a half Hallmark Christmas Movies.....It's Christmas in July...I have the second half of the movie to watch today.  I like the last 5 minutes...but the last 5 minutes are best when I watch ANY Hallmark Movie.   I am tempted to read the X rated Hallmark Movie  books I have in the bookcase.   I was rather shocked by the content the first time I read one but now...not so much.  Found it. Jingle Bell Mingle....and why not read all three in July?????? 

I spent some of yesterday watching another Christmas Movie...not the greatest of them all but pleasant.  I had been watching Law and Order and that was not jolly.  I also watched part of an Egyptian Tomb Robbing episode...I was more interested in the very tall guy in the pale blue linen shirt. The Egyptian Woman  Professor's chin lined up with his elbow.  King Tut's Tomb....always interesting.

Well, as you can read...very very dull here at my house.  But I push on thru the hours and days and weeks. I am actually sleeping quite successfully....which is a healthy thing to be doing...and not always possible for me.  My white hair is quite WIDE today so I brought some pins and rubber bands to the couch with me.

The piles of preselected cloth scraps are not as inviting as I had hoped....I was going to hand sew them into squares.  About 5 or 6 inches square.  Hand sewing seams makes the project last longer- using the machine- 5 minutes and I'm done.  With Every Thing.... I was looking for white linen but don't have any. I might have to slice up a shirt out of my closet......and after doing that I will be upset I ruined a good shirt.

Not that I have ANY shirts to spare.  laughing....I wear the same clothing day in and day out. Washed but no longer ironed.

Daily Notes for Sunday July 26th. Sunshine here in Maine with temps in the high 70's

 Come sit awhile.....we'll enjoy a nice chat.

It's been quite a dry spell here...for friends visiting etc.  It was difficult at first getting used to the alone-ness but I have managed to get used to it...  entertain myself.  I try not to indulge in talking to myself out loud... especially if it sounds like a two way conversation... (sigh)

I didn't sleep well and am feeling sort of tired...now.  Neck muscles are cramping up.

I don't have a shaded bench for sitting.  I do have two large comfy rockers on the front porch.  In years past a few neighbors would visit or a friend would drive to see me....we would chat and rock and feel comfortable with silences.  I would have glasses of cold water or tea or coffee to refresh my guest.

Sitting out there alone...I could do that... but.....it feels really sad. I recall my father being quite lonely living alone. His older friend  Phil would come to visit and fall asleep.... my dad sat and rocked and looked out over the back yard until Phil woke up and decided to go home.

We will be making Sunday Pizza later....And I have lettuce in the fridge for a salad but worry about eating it........ not much going on here...a book to read, some cloth strips set up ready to hand stitch--but then what do I do with the squares?  I made gift potholders but noticed they were never used.

Well, my book needs reading.....my coffee needs reheating......and there must be something on tv I can pretend to be watching.  The bones in my neck are making strange noises.

Daily Notes- Saturday, July 25th. Sunshine here in Maine and 77 degrees.

 Nuts.   Are Good For You. Also Electrolyte Solution.  Son hopes that stabilizes me.

I have a jar full of Pistachios.  But don't know how to spell it...so ran over to the bookcase and the dictionaries etc,,,, In the end, found the word on a recipe card.  That just "happened to be on the shelf" things like that happen every so often to let me know I'm not traveling alone so to speak.

Phone call from the same recorded guy who says his name and then clears his throat...this is when I hang up.  Five or more times a day...when it's a real live person on the line I talk until THEY hang up.  At this point in time...the real live ones have crossed my name off their lists. Success!!!!!

When I worked at the Magazine Job I discovered that the people I was talking to were actually Good Behavior Guys in Prison.   Good Behavior got them a telephone job and extra cash.  Life Lessons at Every Job I Ever Had.  I had a telephone sales job..........jeez.   I moved on to a  Newspaper Job.....better.  Then I moved on to an Art Job.  Magazine Illustrations.....husband came home shortly after I got settled into the Art Job and said- "Pack things up we are moving".   

If I could TurnBackTime- my reply would have been- "go by yourself...I'm staying here".

Sigh......so. what are you doing?????  I have PBS Cooking Shows lined up. Lidia. "just like that". I also have another few books to read and if it were humanly possible (for me) A NAP.  The tendons in my neck are so tight I feel like they will crack into pieces one of these days.

Moving to the couch and my neck pillow.....take care, have a good day.

Friday July 24th.....Sunshine here in Maine.....81 degrees

 Tomato Sandwich.

Eighty One degrees.   Sigh.   Son has gone to lunch and THEN when he gestured back home we will do Library and Grocery Store....  I was very very slow getting out of bed this morning...some of it was Summer and some was just boredom.  Another Day- Just like all the Other Days.

Days were more interesting when I worked....never knew what was going to happen at the greenhouse.. Also days were not boring living with someone with Memory Loss...always on my toes....waiting for him to try and wander off...in the car.... Why my heart didn't fail...is something I will wonder about... always.

So I should be making a grocery list...what to eat next week...but I still have plums from last week's shopping.  I did eat the bananas.  

He's back from lunch--- I need to pee and then we'll get in the car....

Daily Notes for Thursday July 23rd. Sunshine here in Maine.

All time favorite.

So. another Sunshine day.   Yesterday I took the clippers to a very large false indigo.  They start out so small and then BOOM they are laying sideways in the lawn.  Just a touch of that indigo blue in the few pods that have broken open... too heavy to hold themselves up.  I cut them at about 8 inches of stem above ground and then carried the 2 or 3 feet of TOP to the compost.   My plan was to cut one clump down each day.   Perhaps that wasn't a great plan.

Today I may clip a few stems with pods peeking open... let them sit in water awhile so I can see if they are full of ANTS before trying to bring them into the house.

Plans are nice things to have...even when they don't work out.  I may shorten the cut and have a few in a vase...I do love indigo blue.  I did have a wide long indigo blue shirt...someone borrowed it...never returned it.   I'd be wearing it....now.

Another book I thought would be great was not...so my Library Return Bag is getting full.

I watched Vintage PBS last night- I watched them cheer as the probe they had launched to Pluto finally arrived and made one orbit around the tiny planet before exiting.  Taking pictures that took so long to finally arrive.  Dark Matter was discussed.  It is now the Big Topic.  I keep these Space adventures recorded.   One Aunt gave my brother and I books one Christmas.  My book was about being a Nurse and his book was about a guy going out into space.   I read my book and then read his book.... kept them both.

Street paving continues...   Son has a note on the back door- Paving-so he reminds himself not to go the "usual" way.  Well, there is the Morning Newspaper to read.... yesterday some guy was setting fires in stairwells....in New York City.  They had him on security cameras but didn't catch him.

Oatmeal or Shredded Wheat this morning??????  And yes, I know it's almost lunch time....which is 2 or 3 pm for me.

 

Daily Notes for Wednesday July 22nd. Clouds, sun and wet sidewalks.

I've never actually worked this way when I paint...though I have always wanted to.... using a knife  to scrape paint over the surface of the canvas.  I have plenty of paint.  I was looking at the work of Bette Ridgeway this morning...I have a framed art quilt (mine) on the wall in my bedroom and taped to it is a magazine photo of one of Bette's art works.  

My eyes go back and forth in the morning while I am waking up..... Bette to Joanne and back.

I am hopeful that at some point something will happen.  I will collect my paint and a pallet knife and stretch a canvas.....hopefully before I am tucked away in Senior Living.  Time is running out.  

Google has just invited me to stir fry my lettuce.

I am up late and haven't eaten breakfast as yet....so I need to do that...low blood sugar isn't my friend. 

Tomorrow I might actually have something interesting to write here.  Could happen.