Daily Notes- Just out of bed and dressed- tendons in my neck are tight and aching... Tension.

 This image has been wanting to be here....the tiny shed out back-- my black lab to the far right.

I hardly see it these days for the trees...I hardly see anything anymore...but I don't feel depressed...I just feel tired. Very very tired.   

After the Wildlife guy was done I walked out to look and saw a singular squirrel sitting on the roof. Looking very sad.  Must have been out on an errand and missed the family being hauled away. I imagined what that must have felt like....for the squirrel.

I miss the person I was when I painted the shed and planted this wonderful garden out front.   You can see the wheelbarrow etc behind the shed.  And, bringing tears to my eyes, Riley and the bed in front, nicely WEEDED. Nothing is weeded now....it's all gone back to wild and weedy.

Today is Library and Grocery Store....I am looking forward to both as last week I didn't go to either...I stayed home....tired.  I haven't ordered any books. But I am sure one or two will be on the hold shelf.    I'll look at the new book shelf.  See what's there.

I watched a World Cup game yesterday.  I watched CSI.  I read my book.  I cut images (for the desk calendar) from a few old magazines.......I did all these things- my usual, and yet it felt like "not enough".

It looks cloudy and damp outside.....I'm going to have my oatmeal and coffee.....read the news...which is totally depressing...put on my socks.  Stand up straight, shoulders back, and get on with things.....not ready to give up yet.  I saw an image of the totally "monster cage fighting" thing in front of the White House. 

I have no words for what that image says about our President.

Daily Notes- Thursday June 11th. Damp, wet Thursday. 69 degrees and 91 % humidity.

 My back yard does NOT look like this.

Well, the Wildlife Specialists arrived this morning and  adult squirrels and infant squirrels were removed from the chimney.  I went out to the street to look at the temporary cap and saw a squirrel sitting on the roof looking at the temporary wire cap.  I called the Chimney Doctor and told him about the clean out and the need for a permanent cap.   He's VERY busy, he says.

Maine....  Love it or leave it.

I tend to love it as it's the craziest, looney place I have ever lived.... I fit here.

Now to secure a permanent chimney CAP!!!!!

Some Generator stuff going on across the street.  

I'm trying to get resettled here as I thought today was Friday...now I have to think about it being Thursday. we are getting rather sort on Lunch supplies....I have only ONE slice of bread so...not a real sandwich. I ate the last banana yesterday so no "daily fruit".

Just finished reading Ten Big Ones.   Seven Foot Tall "Sally" ran over a bunch of real bad guys with the school bus he drives....in a silky red dress and red stilettos.  Our Girl wasn't surprised at all...Morelli and Ranger were stunned and speechless.  Super fun end to the book.  This paragraph doesn't in any way ruin the book or the plot lines of that book for any Readers....trust me...has nothing to do with anything. It's like the surprise little tiny dessert some fancy restaurants bring out after you've paid. Chef's Kiss.  Which I am reading next (today).......

Daily Notes for Wednesday, June 10th. Sunshine and 72 degrees.

 Having some tight neck muscle pain past few days...TENSION.

I have a guy coming to add a screen to the top of the chimney to keep the squirrels out... he's from the Wildlife Specialist Group....so if the squirrels are around he'll collect them.  They were gone yesterday. They don't have a "datebook planner" for visits.

Planter got lots of coverage yesterday on MSNBC.. I was actually left speechless with the coverage Maine was getting yesterday...with ONLY 1.25m in population??????  Of course Susan had so MUCH to do with the present justices sitting on the Court for the rest of their LIVES.  Is it Three Spineless Stooges??????  And counting.  Larry, Moe and Curley.......

Well, I had better things to do....Son has promised to make SURE I vote next time.  I didn't even know we were voting...in June.

My neck is hurting so I am checking out here and moving to the couch, heating pad and my book. Stephanie is staying in Ranger's apartment, using his shower, soap and his shampoo.  Driving his truck.  His guns.  Ten Big Ones.   I've read all these books before and occasionally I recall some plot moves.....not always though. I did want some of the Medicinal Jelly Doughnuts Stephany and Lula were eating. Those two pack away an entire Seven Eleven each book.   

Daily Notes- Tuesday June 9th....Sunshine and 78 degrees here in Maine.

 American Bumble Bee.  (and clover)

Well, I have made a call into Midcoast Wildlife Specialists.  In regard to the squirrels in the chimney. 

I have had ENOUGH.

I left a message...I expect, here in Maine that they are kept very very busy.... we have an abundance of Wild Life.  Some of it scratching around in my chimney. Or even WORSE- behind the drywall. Son pointed that out.  I wish he had NOT done that.

Until they call me back, I will stay calm, finish reading Evanovich's Ten Big Ones. I just got started in this book  (49 pages) yesterday after finishing To The Nines.  I am approaching a tipping point in the books....will I continue reading or give up.... Steph is on her 5th or 10th car.... I never started counting them...They get wrecked, blown up, set on fire, stolen etc etc.  The whole Trenton Police Department shows up when she calls it in. As the cops say to Steph "you never disappoint".......

Brings back solidly GREAT memories of working at the greenhouse...and the wrecks out front on the Bath Road...and the interesting people I met and spoke to while watching the Police and Fire Department clear the wreckage.... No one ever got hurt... couldn't say the same for the vehicles.

CSI has started to seriously BORE me....I think I am going to have to move on to Law and Order.

Seems like an invoice for Oil Delivery has hit my mailbox.....  at this time of year- most of the oil is being used to heat water...for showers.

Well, I have emails...gonna go read them see what's happening.

Daily Notes- Monday June 8th....Sunshine...Lawn Mowers were here and so is the Septic Tank Guy....Busy Day.

 The Rain was welcome.. Now we have Sunshine.

Son found some one who might weed....I sent a query but got no response.  The weeds here are in the early stages of a "Take Over"...I'd do the work but zero cartilage in the knees...  Weeding isn't a stand up job.

I was not even close to where the opening to the septic tank was/is.  The $60 Shovel Fee was actually needed.  To find the opening.  Son has gone out to have a chat regarding our Current Septic Situation.. which he reports was "great".  No problems.

CSI has very old episodes....ones I have forgotten.  So that is interesting...the not knowing who done it. When that source is used up I will move on to Law and Order.   Settle in to the Standard Retired Person Habits. Couch, Hand Sewing and Law and Order...minus the Big Black Lab.  Who covered his eyes with his paws when it got to be "too much" for him.  I told him it was all make believe but .......still scary.

The tendons in my neck are aching.... the bones making cracking sounds when I turn my head.  The couch and the heating pad will be my best friends again today...I have also been using Arnica. To ease the muscle tension.

I found the pencil sharper and sharpened a few pencils.  It's in a "Handy Spot" where I can find it now. It was not where I thought it was going to be....I'm 2/3rds into High Five and then will choose another book. I have two new books on the shelf as well and will read those first.  Lynn Painter and TJ Alexander.. one new and one an oldie I enjoy reading but daughter has not been able to buy for me.

that's all...10am and already so much has happened......

Daily Notes Sunday June 7th. Rainy Wet Day in Maine. 66 degrees. Humidity close to 100%

 Sign me up for Pie and Ice Cream.. (an excellent Southern Breakfast)...  Serious lack of such things here....

Well, I have a Crink in my neck this morning- right side.  Even a few neck bones feeling the pinch. Old Age is a Trial and a Pain in the you know what.

I now have a stack of 7 different packages of printer paper by the printer...  I decided, while sitting here at the desk to clean out the mess in the little rolling side table...the old old printer used to sit on top of this table..rocking the table side to side as it printed something..  and I sat watching and waiting for the damned printer to screw up... never failed to do so....especially on Income Tax Paperwork....   

The bottom shelf is now FULL Of Notebooks....  minus pages I wrote things on...those pages got shredded.

Notebooks I write in. Draw in..Color in.  Paste images in........ Stay busy...  the top side of this rolling cart (where the printer was) now holds every container of colored pencils and pens that I know of...there might be more.  Husband's stash..  all I need now is to find and install my pencil sharpener.  Be Open For Penciled Art Business.......

I haven't turned on any lights...let me go do that....

Puddles everywhere,  Grass looks happy and so do the Perennials.  Weeds look Triumphant. Old Peonies have stems of flower buds way up over the leaves....so many.. Daughter  was right- they are all ALIVE.

I have High Five here on the ottoman waiting for me...out of order...but that's how it goes when ordering books from far away libraries.....Read Eight and then got back in time and Read Five.  I also have the heating pad for my neck muscles....

Send Pie......really...Send pie. And don't forget Ice cream.

Saturday June 6th. Cloudy right now and 69 degrees.

 You  get a garden bench today.  I don't have a bench...I do have a pitchfork.

I woke up with a "Krink" in my neck and right shoulder....usually caused by TENSION.  Getting everything on this desktop to work this morning...could be the cause....I also had a bill to pay and some desk- actual desk----top things to straighten out...the morning Suduko was above my pay grade.

I may snap a photo of one of my favorite plants...now blooming...by the back windows.  False Indigo. Such a surprise each summer when it flowers...

The Lawn Guys have not come to mow..  we'll see what Monday brings????  Perhaps Lawn and Septic at the same time.

There was (is) an animal- squirrel- in the chimney but the glass door that closes in the fireplace kept  him or her out of the house.  I guess that's an Animal Control; Issue?????  I went into the garage and made a bunch of loud noises near the chimney and that seemed to do the trick...for now.  But  I hear them tapping.

I called the Chimney Doctor but they never actually came to the house (the squirrel issue didn't set well with them)....last year. Business as usual in Maine.   Just knocked on the glass fireplace door- See how long they stay away.

Son found me an email address for someone to weed my garden....I tried but had no luck with address. I will need technical support.

The tendons in my neck are really tight right now and ache...  I'm going to sit on the couch and watch the Saturday Cooking Shows....then some British Soccer....I have good books to read...and the squirrels in the chimney to keep me busy.   I never thought I would say this but I miss having a JOB.

Daily Notes for a Sunny Friday June Fifth.

 A very dizzy start to my day....I am foregoing the Library and the Grocery Store.

I am going to sit, hydrate and be calm.  Son has the shopping list.  

N and I are wondering about the guys who cut the grass..... she is wondering more than I am.

My border gardens do not look anything like the photo up top.... my borders are filled with a variety of tall, medium and short WEEDS.   The Guy who weeded for me is weeding in Heaven these days.

And That's about all.  I am going to follow my Son's directions and sit on the couch and rest up and drink liquids until he returns home.  To The Nines is not as exciting as the cover comments suggested. And I have read it before....I might have already read all of them..... but there is the occasional good laugh out loud... which is beneficial to my well being.

I wandered around in the sewing room...looking for something I did not find.  I watched an episode of Life on the Streets....I was huge fan back when it was first on tv..... well see how it goes in the weeks to come.

I also discovered the 1400"s on my cable channels...  new stuff.  Who knows...??????

Anything is better than the news....As a Mainer...interesting we have a rogue candidate.  He came out of no where.....But anyone who might have a chance to get rid of Susan Collins has my vote.

Daily Notes for Thursday, June 4th. Sunshine here in Maine. Lots of it and 72 degrees.

 Sea Holly.

I watched quite a few things on tv yesterday...can't recall any of it....I did change the sheets on my bed and washed them....dried them and put them back on the bed.....easier than trying to find sheets in the linen closet.  A Nightmare.

I slept well.  No horrible dreams.  No waking up crying....well, a bit of crying AFTER I woke up.

I haven't started reading To The Nines as yet.   Fatigue has come to visit...and has extended its stay into a second day.....I haven't had breakfast as yet...blood sugar is down and so am I.

Well. if things perk up as the day goes on and on and on...I'll return and have some chatty things to report. I believe I have some bills on the table- need to write checks, find stamps etc....  Always fun.

I think the couch and I will be good friends again today...I will NOT watch ANY news.  I have been cautioned to keep my views to myself... on certain subjects.....I get carried away...say things that are not politically correct.  

That's all for today....I did NOT have the Pot Stickers yesterday but will be having them today... Frying pan is ready to go....right now I am considering oatmeal or shredded wheat for breakfast.  Hot or Cold. Either is very very nice....wishing you all a very happy day........

I thought of a book I like reading this morning.....searched the bookcase for it...not recalling the title.  Found it.  Now the newspaper and the impossible Suduko puzzle.

Daily Notes for Wednesday June 3rd. Sunshine today...

I had every single ingredient in the fridge to make these....mine were darker and crispier.  Vegan because there was no egg binding all the parts together.  And no cheese.  A mashed baked potato (sitting in the fridge) did the binding.  If I had had some bacon in the house I would have added that to the cakes. Also some cheese.  I'm not Vegan.

So there we are- I might label yesterday as "Do Something New And Different Tuesday"

Finished reading Hard Eight (whoa) and Today----To The Nines... supposedly the "sharpest, funniest and sexiest" one of the series ....since the early days".  There was quite a bit of shooting etc in Eight.  I lost count of the number of cars Steph crashed or blew up.  She still has car insurance...wow. Steph has lost count of the number of handcuffs she has also lost or misplaced.  I say five pairs of cuffs.

I was three days late in changing over the desk calendar to JUNE.    But yesterday I had to charge up all the things attached to the desk top...mouse, that little rolling thing you click on.....keyboard...all of it dead...  Now they are all working again...And I have to coil up a few of the wires....just did that.  The iPhone is still charging........even though I nevernevernever use it....as a phone.. I use it as a camera.  And even that is very rare.  These days, 

I sprayed the house with Febreze (smelled like Fritters)....I also had a shower and washed my hair...I need to do a load of wash today as well.  Change the sheets on my bed- always a workout with MANY rest periods.. BREATHING is what bothers me the most health wise.  It actually might be my ONLY health issue...oh, kidneys...not in top shape...  yep- the 80's not gonna be my best decade.   We need lungs and kidneys...like 24/7/365....

... I watched about 5 minutes of news yesterday and started gagging.....so went back to CSI and when that failed to entertain me- back to the book and another car blowing up..... I think Steph found something (someone) dead on her couch or in her shower in book eight.. more than once. We all thought Ranger was gonna kiss her...nope.  He always checks on her status with Morelli......first.

I feel my days squeezing shut.....cutting off any happy feelings I might have had in the past for Spring and early Summer... The Daily News is actually NOT something I can read, hear or watch these days. Even the Morning Paper Suduko brings little JOY to my Life...  but the SUN is Shining...That's huge here in Maine... I'll let That be enough..... and I have two leftover fritters for lunch.  And some ice cream...the tiny serving size. The cups you give to toddlers with the little wood spoon they don't know what to do with...  I might have one tiny cup left.... would be great.  If I did.

I need to add another bag of the tiny cups to the Shopping List for Friday. Perhaps a few yogurt cups as well.  Today I have Chicken Pot Stickers..  Oh Boy!!!!!   Everyone in the books says that...Oh Boy!!! and then something blows up.

 

Daily Notes for Tuesday June 2nd.....Sunshine and 67 degrees

 Another image from a long ago post of my own.   Most of my trees have dropped their flowers... the big Spring Show is just about done.

It's actually past time for the large planters to be out and filled... Patty and I would shop early...but we are no longer friends...it happens....and I will most likely not have the planters out on the front walkways this year,  change..is hard but sometimes change is necessary so you can move on.....to new things.

The grape vines are very full this Spring ...  Concord grapes.  I wanted to make jelly.  Years ago.   Grapes are not the easiest thing to grow.  The plants might only produce leaves. Last year that was all I got but the abundance of them covered the arch over the walkway.  And is doing that this Spring as well.

I have gotten to the very end of Seven Up.  Stephanie Plum and Ranger... on the last page..... Will be starting in on Book Eight today.   AS the book numbers get higher....the PLOTS get more ridiculous.   but the Plum activities are keeping me from watching any NEWS and that is a real help....because the news is terrible.   Talk about Hell in a Handbasket???????

I have every single ingredient needed to make No Egg Vegetable Fritters.  I mention this because I rarely have ALL the things needed for a recipe.  Son has driven off to have LUNCH...I just finished having breakfast.   Sleeping more these days....which is actually a good thing....

Hard Eight is next,   

Daily Notes- Monday June 1st. Sunshine here in Maine...for now...

 From the pictures on old blog posts.

I imagined lunches and dinner out in this old wood greenhouse......I didn't actually have an old greenhouse but thought one would be a very nice addition to my yard.

Well, here we are on June First.  I still have NOT gone out to buy annuals for my garden beds. I might not actually have flowers this year.....I haven't dragged the big planters out. either.  Can't do it myself.  Well, I could and have done it myself but I have no plants to plant in the containers....My Master Gardener Pal is no longer speaking to me....very very bad break up.  It was all her....all I said was "no".

This is what happens when the Friend (???) you always went plant shopping with...is not longer speaking to you. And when your Lunch Buddy has gone flower shopping with her husband... as usual.

Wu Peng has three more flower buds...a surprise.

Sigh.....I'm gonna read....no bills to pay...already got the morning Medicare phone call...hung up on them as usual.  I   usually have my two big planters filled with soil and flowers by now.....really SAD.

I hate being OLD..... I hate depending on someone else so I can have flowers out front.  Well, I am going to pull on my socks and settle into the couch and read....finish up my lukewarm coffee.

That's it- the mouse died so I have it charging up... and my coffee needs a reheat...

Daily notes- Sunday, May 31st... Cloudy and 67 outside and 64 inside the house.

 Market Flowers.  Not here in my house.....

And yes, the temps up top are correct- colder inside the house than out.

I don't think any of you reading this post will be surprised that I woke up tired this morning...I postponed my shower yesterday...wasn't feeling steady- thought it might be better to have breakfast first to even out the blood pressure.   Then I procrastinated.

I might also need to replace the short sleeved tee with the long sleeved thermal shirt... like right now.  I'm COLD.  I might shower later this afternoon if I feel like it would be a "good idea".

I added a few digits to the indoor temp..... we'll see when the furnace kicks in if that helps.  Son would recommend I add a thermal long sleeve shirt to my outfit.  That actually sounds good....I'll be right back..

Feeling warmer already... I started in on Book Seven-- titled Seven Up.  I also promised my Son I would NOT ask him to collect books at the library when he goes out for lunch.  Friday is Book Collection Day...period.    

I might need to add a sweater to my outfit.  Yep....went and got a sweater.  

I could pull weeds out by the Propane Tanks and Whole House Generator.  But it looks like it might rain.  I keep hoping the Weed Fairies will show up overnight and get the job done... I pulled the damned things out last year ...roots and all....thinking that would be it... It wasn't it.   I tried doing a Pep Talk on myself but ... it's a Hard Sell.   CSI has reverted back to season one episodes from the 60's or 70's...gag me.   FSN has old Soccer games....and they delete the boring parts when no one scores.... really.

Good Morning....Dressed and ready for breakfast at 10:30 am.... Been up a few hours ruminating on my LIFE.... wondering where that quilt went.

 Pink Dahlia.

The area behind the garage and up close to the new Generator needs weeding...looks like a jungle out there. I pulled all the weeds last year...roots and all...but...they are back.   

I had Past Plans for that area- a nice Herb Garden...  I could walk out on the stone paths with scissors and cut herbs for what ever I was cooking that day......now I have WEEDS and rarely if ever cook anything thought my son keeps reminding me of the SOUP I was going to make.... vegetables with beans.

I watch repeats of the Paris Soccer on FXS. Fox Sports. One of the four digit stations.. Messi. He's famous for a reason.

CSI: Miami was back in the 90's... yesterday......I didn't like the 90's very much.

Today...what will I do today....yesterday Son told me he is not  happy with being asked to go pick up Library Books (or forgotten groceries_) on any day other than Grocery/Library Day.   I understand......for decades Library Day was just that ONE day in the week......not a bunch of days in one week.....problem was books were coming for statewide Libraries....and I wanted to read them in "order".......that's coming to a close... Stephanie  Plum is now in the double digits..... and she's teaming up with Ranger.  My Library has those books...and I ordered a few others....something different.  

Weather here in Maine has been STRANGE..  It can be sunny, dry and warm and then ten minutes later cold, wet and dark.  Right now I need to be turning on lamps..  It's pretty dark in here. and it's been raining......but the sidewalks are bone dry.  Weird.

I got two Old Favorite Books at the Library yesterday.  One that my daughter has been looking to buy me but can't find anywhere..... Looks like a new Library copy....fresh. I also have a brand new Lynn Painter.. If it's not good I'll just revert to an older book of hers....but first- I'll make my oatmeal and put on my socks.   Try the Suduko.   Read the nasty newspaper headlines...cringe......

I slept a long time this morning....Late Start.

 When I used to sew and make things.  I don't believe\ this has ever been top stitched down as yet.. and I don't know where it is...certainly not here..in the house.

I slept till 2 pm.   No excuse for it...

When son thinks I am awake enough we will do Library and Grocery Store.  I changed into a more stylish shirt for the outing...surprised it fits....and my pants are loose also.  I am eating more...

Daily Notes for Thursday May 3rd. The Grass was Cut. The Clouds are rolling in...Rain??????

 I have neither the lawn chairs nor the twisted half dead tree but I do have newly, freshly mowed  green grass....lots of it.  I expect rain at any moment.  Looks like a golf course out there right now.

I am 2/3rds into Four to Score....someone fire bombed Stephanie's apartment and car. She's staying with Morrelli.  Having dinner with his mom and grandmother...  Yikes...

I had my grocery store potstickers for lunch yesterday....might have a grilled cheese with "so many" pickles today with remaining bread and cheese slices......considering the choices tomorrow for grocery shopping and my lunches.  I also have one banana left...for potassium.... 

I need to order Statin's for pick up next Friday.  Count the number of vitamins I have left...might need a new jar.  Low on Tylenol as well.

I have more new images for the blog posts....  I found them back in the treasure trove of old posts...my own.  So many years of posts.  I doubt the photos are mine.

Well....what to do now....socks or no socks?????  House lights on or off?  Re-heat coffee a second time? Watch CSI- Vegas or New York....again?????  Finish reading my book.  The only character I am enjoying this time around is Ranger- Yo.  But that was always the way it went.   I am missing book Five. All the surrounding libraries are ALSO missing book Five.

Daily Notes for Wednesday, May 27th... Sunshine here in Coastal Maine. 76 degrees

 A repeat?   Short on images at the moment.  I deleted the image from the desktop so we won't see this one again.

Wu Peng has one flower this year.  A very nice one.   Almost the same color as the image up top but a bit darker.   For Readers who have been reading for over a decade or two or three- you know how long it took Wu Peng to actually make his first flower. (peony).    He arrived with that name printed on the instruction page.  Wo Peng always makes a lot of leaves.....so I know he is healthy. Just stubborn.

My neck bones are making a cracking sound when I turn my head or move my head up and down.

I imagined hearing the Lawn Guys.....I was wrong.  I think the noise I hear is the fridge doing things....

I don't have much more to type-   I have the remainder of the bag of paper to shred.   Yesterday it was sale contracts for houses I lived in decades ago.  Pretty soon I'll uncover my college quarterly grade reports. I already shredded the German House contracts.   Marianna and the office group in Frankfurt.....I missed you so much while doing that....tears came to my eyes......in waves,

It's going to be that sort of day....good memories...such good memories.  Christopher mentioned he missed Frau Loes...who came to clean every Wednesday.  And never moved any of HIS things even though she dusted under them.... both of us would love having her here in Maine.  We have dust. Lots of it.

Well, still no sign of the Lawn guys.... 

I'm working my way thru Three to Get Deadly---- Stephanie's Mom made Spice Cake.. (which means I NOW want spice cake) Mom..gave most of the cake to Joe to take home with him.... He was eating cake when Stephanie came home to find him in her apartment...well, after ALL the shooting in the parking lot. The Senior Citizens living there all have guns. Stephanie is wanted for murder and Ranger said helping her was a Hard NO..... Lula even said NO and she loves packing a gun..   Joe said Hell, No.   Get Deadly a good title.  I don't recall who is trying to shoot her......I was concentrating on the Spice Cake.

Daily notes for a warmish Maine Day. Tuesday the 26th. Where are the Lawn Guys?????

 Well, I have nothing to say.

I'm all out...  My neck is full of unresolved tension...I have no socks on so it must be warmer today than yesterday.  My Lunch Buddy is still completely booked with medical stuff for her husband. He's signed up for Cardiac Rehab...at lunchtime.  For a few weeks...or longer........ my husband did that.  I just shredded the paperwork.....

I am holding so much tension in my neck muscles I wonder why my head hasn't cracked off and fallen on the floor.  I can hear the bones when I move my head.   At least I am not crying while typing this... I got that over with while reading the morning paper.  The Suduko was above my pay grade as well.

That's it about it....I am going to grab some Tylenol...sit on the couch, rotate my neck muscles. Perhaps have a second cup of hot sweet tea.   Perhaps cry some more.

It happens....my Lunch Buddy is ALSO wondering when the Lawn Guys are going to show up... Grass is pretty high.  Yard looks terrible...  Green? yes, but like no one lives here. Like an abandoned house.

Son is back from Lunch.

Daily notes- It's raining here in Maine...puddles everywhere. We needed rain so...it's great.

 We might have had these already.. 

Well, ...today a rain day and the furnace going..... to warm us up a bit- or else because Son is taking a long hot shower...... I was going to ...but I have to first assess my balance and blood pressure. Make sure I am steady....I decided to have breakfast instead.  A good choice.

Book Three is waiting for me...  Three to Get Deadly.  I will miss the Big Blue Buick. (my grandfather had a huge Pontiac).. ..but happy to see Lula back and enjoying Filing....I enjoyed the heck out of filing as well.  It's a very Virgo Thing.

Right now- (but not every day....or even every week)....I enjoy shredding paper.  Shredding papers I have saved for years (decades) and now....who cares...I've looked them over and wonder the same thing again and again...WHY???? Did I save this???????  

My Banker said "not having a copy of something is often better than actually having the copy"..Ignorance is Bliss.  Would make a nice Sampler.

What to do today?.....I have some sorting to do in the Sewing Room...thread is finding a new home. At 80.5 I know I will never get around to using as much as I have in the closet.  I know at some point I will have to have son or daughter thread needles for me.  Sooner rather than later.  My red sweater needs mending yet again.  The sleeve ends on the dark grey sweater need patching again.  I need mending.

But first I need to dig around in my closet for the Donor Sweaters.  I cut them into patches. to reinforce the cuffs of the red sweater....which have become "see thru" thin.  CSI?  While I sew?  Law and Order? British Soccer?   Antique's Roadshow?????

My neck feels cold... I need to move to the couch and my down lap blanket and my tacky black shawl to wrap around my neck...    Have a nice day.

Attention Book Readers.....

 Two for the Dough was so so Great!!!!!!

Tomorrow I start Book Three.   This is going to be the BEST WEEK EVER!!!!!

Daily Notes for Sunday May 24th. Two British Soccer games being recorded. Cloudy and 60 degree in coastal Maine.

 I am not sure but this might be a South African flower of some sort. Has no title.

I'm cold...I have on a thermal long sleeved shirt snd a vintage cashmere sweater...I say vintage because it's thin- worn see thru thin and not very warm.  I woke up COLD and I haven't been able to shake it off.

I just walked back to the bedroom to gather up this old piece of rayon (a long rectangle)- black and slippery but warm "none the less"...it's patched etc and someone in the past poured bleach on it.  Randomly.  It isn't something I would ever wear in public.  Somehow it keeps me warm...

Today is Sunday Pizza.  

A long awaited new book by an author I like arrived at the library for me...I started reading it yesterday..it felt familiar. ... the Paris Match.  By an author I like very much.   I kept reading and it was all TOO familiar.   A fresh new cover and inside the date 2026.  And NOT a new book.  An old book I hadn't enjoyed reading the first time they printed it.  I looked in my bookcase to see if I had purchased the earlier copy...I had not..(thank goodness).  Clayborn.  

Love Lettering is my very favorite of her books. The only other book of hers I don't own is Georgie Girl...I didn't like it.  I read Paris Match years ago and it was just as awful as it is now in the fancy new cover.  They changed nothing but the cover and spent considerable cash advertising their NEW book.... Thank goodness I didn't buy it.  A re-print.

I'm warming up finally  The old rayon wrap does the trick.  It's chilly here in Maine- off shore winds.

Nothing more to say...it seems I am surrounded by disappointments lately...even Storage Wars last night was a disappointment.  Really hard for something so awful to disappoint.

I should have bought the corn chips....on Friday Grocery Day. We could have been "salty" together... 

Reading Two For the Dough....from a far away library... Three and Four arrived from my own Library. No Five as yet.... but do have Six, Seven and possibly Eight from other Libraries. I'm not getting up again to look.

Two is "flat and dull" so far...perhaps why I don't own ANY of the others.  Characters sliding in and out and Reader not given a reason to like any of them.  Even Ranger...

Well, I DID get excited about the chocolate covered donuts she buys to share with Morelli.. But..CHOCOLATE COVERED DONUTS?????  Who wouldn't get excited.

Joan I am waiting to read what you think of book two.

Daily Notes for Saturday May 23 rd. Sunshine here in Maine but it doesn't feel WARM

A South African Flower.

 Well, it took some time but I got the margin all the way to the left.  It looks warm outside but there is a chill on the back of my neck here in the house.  63 in the house I think...I'm running colder than usual these days.  My neck muscles are also tight and that actually hurts today.  Turning my head makes strange cracking noises in my neck bones....getting old is SO awful.  And noisy.  Time is running out. 

I feel like I am worrying about something and there is tension etc.  Worry about what???? Lunch?

More books have come in from far away Libraries.- Stephanie Plum number two and four.  I have three on the shelf waiting.  I got number one at a used book store.   I am hoping my son will pick them up  but I don't think today is a day he goes out for lunch.  I think he went out yesterday.  But it's sunny so he might want to drive around with the top down???????  Get a cold brew coffee.

Otherwise I will read something else or watch CSI (until the books get picked up)...... the earliest episodes are being shown now...tacky 80's clothing and morals.  That was an ugly decade.

Well, I'd best get to whatever I am going to be doing today.....I polished off the chicken nuggets yesterday. Today will be grilled cheese with pickles.  Tomorrow is pizza with a big salad.  After that......anyones' guess.  Ah, the potstickers... yum.  Perhaps today instead of the sandwich?????

Looking at the dark and light leaves up top- would be a good practice painting with the watercolors.  I actually do enjoy painting.....I don't do it often but when I do...very very enjoyable.  I like drawing way better though...that was an interesting thing to discover in my 70's.......would have been useful in college- to know that I actually liked drawing....... Next Life- I hope I recall all this stuff.

Daily Notes- Friday May 22nd- Sunshine here in Maine.

 Summer Reading.  Image from online source on Summer Reading.  Pink Plastic Chair.

I am dressed and ready for my weekly visit to the Library.....I have Evanovich number 3 to pick up.  Number two hasn't arrived (so sad-very few libraries actually own a copy- most of them are "lost").....I will check other Evanovich books my Library might own.... possibly ones I never read.

I am also looking for a few Danielle Steele books.   I read one yesterday- it still has a"new" sticker on it. I'd read it before so still okay... Never Say Never...  People with money who whine less than usual.

Yesterday I made an appointment for the Septic Tank to be "pumped out".   June 8th.  

I actually followed thru...

Lawn Service and Septic Tank........ what's next???????  I stood out front looking at my roof shingles... and then looked at my neighbors' roof shingles......they are supposed to last a LONG time...and my roof is. BIG......

We got thru the first "heat wave " of a Maine Summer....windows shut...ceiling fan.  Good enough.

Daily Notes for Thursday May 21st.... Clouds...a bit cooler than yesterday. the Sun is starting to show up.

  A virtual bouquet for you all today.  Isn't it gorgeous?

My Vintage Romance yesterday was a delight.  Return to Summerhouse.  Traveling back in Time.  No plans as yet for today. Not a clue what I will decide to spend time doing..... could just sit and watch Law and Order.  But might Not be the day Law and Order is on BBC America.

The Septic Tank people sent a letter- it might be time to pump the tank out?...I replied "yes, please" and now we'll wait and see when they show up.  They also supply bark mulch... would be nice but beds would need weeding and cleanup before mulch could top them off.  Not my wheelhouse anymore.

I have a slight pain....left side of my head.... I might have breakfast and then retire to the couch. I'm past the mid point and heading  downhill (with speed) to my 81st birthday....things are going to start wearing out: acting up: No reading today but perhaps some Law and Order reruns????? I have recorded British Soccer games which might be a better choice. And I could just sit and stare at the walls.  Let my imagination run wild.  My old cat did that....stared at the walls.

Right now I am being reminded that I had no supper yesterday and it's TIME for BREAKFAST.

The newspaper headlines looked ominous.  Hope the Suduko is doable...  I keep hoping that there is someone out there reading the words I type....even if I am dull and quite boring.

Daily Notes on what, for Maine, Is going to be a HOT Sunny Day. May 20th.

 Not as HOT as this greenhouse would be.   I have ALL the windows closed.  Blinds closed. Ceiling fan going in the dining room/kitchen area.   Son never made a decision on the window AC units...was going to get new ones.  Didn't.   We could spend a fortune for whole house AC.   But that ship has sailed for 2026.

I ran out of milk this morning and the box of coffee cream is nearly empty as well... might be my last cup of coffee....Groceries wait until Friday.  (it's early on Wednesday)   I won't be having oatmeal tomorrow or the next day---with milk.  I also have no bread.  This has never happened before.  I am perplexed.....

Perhaps Son will go out for lunch and bring home a quart of milk????   Some bread??????   IF this IS a day he goes out for Lunch.  Could be a "stay at home" day.   Who knows..

It's seems like it's very very hot outside.....just the "look" of it.  I think a cloud just went over...nice

.Rain would be welcome......

I'm skipping the wool socks for today....heading for the couch....and my Jude Devereaux paperback. The small sized one...hell on the eyes but....why not.?????  I could always skip over to another author in the bookcase.......Daughter brought me some new (old) books the other day.... Or I can watch CSI and drift... I discovered I rarely pay attention to the plot or anything else... 

I've seen them all dozen's of times over the years.... over the winters when the Greenhouse didn't need me to "answer questions" in person...  calling me at home worked just fine.  And didn't have to pay me..... It's Maine... and I was wearing pajamas anyway.  And possibly forgot. to comb my hair.

Life in Maine is pretty easy (no rules)... no-one really pays much attention......I've seen people shop in their pajamas. Not me....I never did that. Really...I never did that...........I was never up that early or that late.   Might be something to add to a Bucket List??????

Daily Notes- Tuesday, May 19th. Sunshine and even more Sunshine here in Maine.

 Dahlias.   Almost all my ornamental trees have sent out flowers... daughter checked on the one I assumed was "dead" and she reported back that it had buds etc on it and was a "late" bloomer...  like me.

I now have my own copy of the Lost Husband.  

I'm reading Sarah Adams fourth book..In Your Dreams (library copy). The last of the four...I own the other three.   As the author says in her notes...we are taking our last trip to Rome, Kentucky.   All four sisters have now found their "true love".   I might find mine in a future Life?

I have to keep checking the date....I'm Lost in Time as they say and don't know what day of the week it is ... this happens because I have no set schedule of places to be and people to see... it's just me, the couch and the TV.  While on the couch....I read, I sew and look out the big windows...front and back.  I noticed a wild FOX running thru my yard this morning....they usually have rabies.

What will I do today?  Read? Yes.  Shred more paper? Yes.  Heat up the iron and give the small red fabric rectangle a press?  Yes. And most importantly...make something good to eat.  I bought more of those nice potstickers....and look forward to frying them till crispy...and eating them.  The Potstickers won the battle between them and Kraft Mac and Cheese. Well, right now....things could change in the next four hours.

Before any ironing can be done- I'll have to move all the stacks of "everything" off the ironing board.  And look for more red scrap fabric....."nothing new".   I'll be busy all day...that's for sure.

A Good Friend I have never met in person- Joan of California- had a car accident and lost her license... I mentioned a friend's older mom who had a taxi service on speed dial...  I've considered that option myself. My Lunch Buddy is no longer available for the occasional "lunch" as her husband has many many many doctor visits each week.   We haven't seen each other in such a long time.  All of 2026 so far and the last half of 2025.

I think the new neighbors across the street have come back from vacation... activity over there. And time for me to eat breakfast and read the paper...I saw some news on the computer screen......sigh......I might NOT read the news...... Humpty Dumpty Trumpty .......and go straight to the Suduko Puzzle. 

Daily Notes for Monday May 18th. Sunshine here in Maine. The Big Trees are leafing out.

 

Something Blue.  No newspaper as it's Monday....I haven't made my oatmeal as yet and actually have little to say here....reading the very old journal was like getting knocked to the ground and kicked repeatedly..  

May take me awhile to recover.... the only positive aspect...I wasn't wrong.  All those decades- I wasn't wrong.

Well, I have books to read and yesterday while CSI was reconstructing bone fragments into a person I was sewing strips of red into squares.... not my usual squares... I haven't looked at them with this Morning's Eyes but will after I have breakfast, my morning pills and water.  I need to hydrate.

Everything about me feels dehydrated.

Since I wrote these words the Sun has gone away...looks like it will rain.  Which is fine with me.

Daily Notes for a Sunny Sunday in Maine.....May 17th.

 Camellia.....what a lovely lovely flower!!!!

Here it is Sunday in May... I have British Soccer on the Telly...I was hoping to see Mick Jagger in the audience but not his team.

I shredded a full bag of paper for recycling...might start in on a second bag now that I found the clear plastic bags.  Well, Son pointed them out.... I shredded an entire book that I had used as a Diary.  No need for others to read my private thoughts...another book of pages will be added to the shredded paper later today.  Tearing the pages out of the books is exhausting.  I didn't read any of it....again. 

I have a book to finish reading and another to start in on...the Return to the Library Bag is FULL of Rejected Books.  Really, it's disappointing these things get into PRINT. But then I might be the ONE the only One who is critical...and everyone else is happy......I think that might be it.  Just me being critical.

I'm almost to the end of One For The Money....daughter might find  Two for the Dough.  One copy is in repair at a distant library  and the second copy I found is "missing"..... and has been missing quite awhile.

That's it for today- there should be another Soccer Match... Manchester United....ah just highlights. LEE vs BHA..yellow and white uniforms.  The first 15 minutes is usually a waste of time.  

I  might watch them blow something up on CSI: Miami. or find a body in the SWAMP that an alligator has chewed on. When I lived in Florida it was the huge black shiny SNAKES that disgusted me..... slithering around...Husband had a machete and chopped them up...all the neighbors had him on speed dial.  We had three in the decorative pond out back once.....OMG.  Our kids were small and young.....tasty for a big snake.  And they were fast moving snakes..... We moved to Chicago ... before I had unpacked everything.

Well, I  am enjoying watching my trees make leaves/flowers....magenta, pink, yellow and all the different shades of green.  The invasive Lily of the Valley is enjoying the cement sidewalk it's tucked up next to. I happen to like the plant...and some small white flowers are beginning to show up.  I asked daughter to dig up hers and bring them over...she doesn't like them........

Daily Notes for Saturday May 16th. Sunshine here in Maine- still wearing wool socks.

 Wisteria.   I don't have any here at the house...it might now survive here in Maine.

I am typing this BEFORE I have had breakfast so the sugar levels aren't steady as yet.  My sleep and wake patterns are changing with the Season.  Up earlier than usual .... at loose ends being up so early.

Haven't set the oatmeal for 3 minutes as yet... newspaper headlines look disturbing... lots of space being used by the interest in a vast Amazon Building south of here.  Not sure we (Maine) have enough employees - unless they HIRE ALL the LLBean People??????   Could be interesting.

Yesterday I took a book off my own bookcase...not IN- it was ON.  One for the Money.  Been awhile since I read any Evanovich.    Hard to find here in Maine..  This was a Goodwill purchase.  Two and Three are "billed" at the Library so they aren't coming back..  Four and Five- "unavailable" so they aren't coming back.   Six and Seven and Eight might actually be on the shelves. BUT might be Large Print which my brain Can Not Deal With.  So I'll read One and be Done.

What my library does have is the books on CD's.  I used to listen when I was way into Quilting... Not now.

Now I like a good book, a cup of cooling tea and no one bothering me.

Well, I have breakfast to make and the disgusting newspaper to read...then the Suduko and back to the couch.  Stephanie Plum.....  Hasn't blown up anything in a dozen or so pages...Joe Morelli is in the kitchen cooking something- perhaps hoping to get the keys to his car back.  I'd forgotten how much Fun these books were.....and well, this is the only one....I'll be reading.  They are best enjoyed 1..2...3....4....etc. And NONE of those are available to me....who cares....I  have a GREAT FAVORITE  Danielle Steele waiting for me.

Daily Notes for Friday, May 15th. Clouds and Rain here in Maine....Temps in the mid 50's

 From Shutterstock.  Flat faced and really quite lovely.

Well, the newspaper has been read, the Suduko attempted, the oatmeal eaten......I am up very very early today for no reason at all.....I even got to hear for the first time in perhaps 10 to 15 years (or more)...the message my husband recorded on the phone when it rings all the way to the message...I usually pick up on the early rings...I didn't recognize his voice.  

And then I made the bed, brushed my teeth and got dressed.

But after contemplating.... I realize that's his voice from when we moved here...decades ago. And to be honest here....in the last years of his Life my husband rarely if ever spoke....to me.  Dementia is like that.

I doubt he knew who I was.

So a cloudy, damp day here in Maine....Grocery shopping.   Library.   What books to choose??????

What shall I buy for my Fruit of the Week?   I still have some cherries.  A few Bananas?

Should I get more Potstickers????  They were pretty decent...

Perhaps some cold Chicken Nuggets???

The CSI shows have circled around and I am seeing the earliest ones yet again...well, not really..I don't think I was watching when they were on previously but did watch decades ago.  The clothing and the cars...wow. I think I might have some of that in the Attic; (the clothing- not the cars)

Daily Notes of a Crabby Old Woman. Thursday May 14th... Chilly and Windy here in Maine.

 Japanese Cherry Blossom.  (again????)

I wasn't quick enough to get you a photo of the Wild Turkey in the back yard.

The tree in my yard to the left of the front porch- occasionally sends out a few pink flowers. But more often than not goes directly to green leaves.  As it has this year......

It's chilly..I have on a thermal shirt and a wool sweater and am still shivering.  I turned the furnace up a bit.  Usually I just tuck myself into the couch with a down lap blanket (or two).  Tomorrow is Library Grocery Shopping Day.... considering what books I will be choosing to read..... or more likely NOT read. I'm stuck in the "falling in love" category. I adore Romance.

I am also thinking about next week's food choices....the bag of cherries I got for the Week's Fruit are very very good. (more????) I have one more baked sweet potato for today's lunch (or dinner) with melted Swiss cheese and three slices of Toasting Bread for a nice Grilled Cheese sandwich plus toast with butter and jam..  Love when the food sorts itself out.

TV has been dismal.  I can't settle in and watch any of the regular stuff.  Channel Surfing never works for me.  I CANNOT watch NEWS.........

Well. enough whining....I have Soccer games recorded....I have CSI-New York.  CSI-Miami is getting a bit too ORANGE for me. New York is darker.  Linda Howard's Prey was very very readable. I now have THREE of her books I can always fall back on in a BooK Emergency. There is a fourth- the Woman Left Behind but that one breaks my heart....the military helicopter lifts off leaving her.......behind in enemy  territory... I might read it again..but I have taken it off the shelf and put it back many many times.

Daily Notes for Wednesday May 13th.... Chilly, Cloudy and Damp here in Maine. 50 degrees

 Not my garden... but perhaps my lawn.

Reading Linda Howard's Prey.  I like it.  Now I have three of her books that I like.

Daughter stopped in at the local bookstore and ordered two books for me...  One is the Lost Husband.  The shop owner will call when they arrive.

I wondered when the guys would come mow the lawn and presto...there they were mowing yesterday...the lawn looks AMAZING... green and lush.  The old Peony bushes are leafing out...I don't expect any flowers.  The Twin's Mom asked if I wanted to shop for annuals for the containers with her one of these days....I said yes.  The gal I usually shopped for annuals with isn't speaking to me anymore....I think the time was right for us to end things.  Past time for us to end things.

I had grocery store pot stickers for lunch yesterday...excellent.  I fried them in my favorite cast iron pan.. I think that might be considered- loosely..... as "cooking"... I also had some Mother's Day frozen custard... I am eating it slowly and enjoying it very very much.  Today is Toasted Cheese with Pickles Day.

I doubt we will be having any sunshine today and I might need to up the temp on the thermostat.  Even with a sweater I feel cold.  Yes, it's May but in Maine that means NOTHING.  The Atlantic Ocean is just  "over there".........

There might be British Soccer....There certainly is CSI: New York.  There are the final pages of Prey to read and then choosing a fresh book for today....I'm thinking something light and frothy.  A romance out of the bookcase?

Or several episodes of Law and Order?????  So many good choices....well, my breakfast coffee needs a warm up and I need to check the setting on the thermostat...there's a chill in the air.

Daily Notes- For Tuesday May 12th,.. A Cloudy Day so far with a bit of a chill..here in Maine.

 Someday.

Well, it looks cloudy and damp here in Maine...I have to turn UP the furnace...get the chill out of the house.  The back of my neck feels chilled.

One of the Library Books I chose is going back after 5 pages.  How do these books get published???? I finished my  favorite Linda Howard- Cover of Night.   Up Close and Dangerous is the one with the crashed airplane...my second favorite... I have two more here but never really like them as much as the first two.

Not much else to type...I changed the water in my vase of flowers...I do it every morning after oatmeal and newspaper.   I need to find a good book for this chilly cloudy damp day.

I read a few pages- Prey might be an excellent choice. So. I'm set for the day...and if the chill continues I have the heating pad handy.  And some British Soccer.    And a reheated cup of coffee.

Son has gone out for lunch.  This is usually when I used to eat cookies.  Now there are NO COOKIES!!!! but there are Pot Stickers to Fry up when it's time for MY LUNCH.   Couple hours from now.

Nothing more to say....

Daily Notes for Monday, May 11th.......Sunshine here in Maine. 60 degrees. Grass is getting tall.

 The last of the peony images.

There is quite a bit of sunshine here in Maine today....the grass is nice and green..  I don't know why it recovered so nicely from the over fertilizing but it did.  The grass...well, it has a lumpy surface as it hasn't been mowed in quite a long time...I would mow it but husband bought a fancy mower and it's actually difficult to get it started....I think we might have used it once or twice.   

I spoke (typed) too soon...clouds have rolled in and it's bleak outside.

Difficult Mower as in "hold this lever down push this one up let the choke out"....you get the idea...for a guy in the early stages of dementia it was a puzzle he never solved.  Why I have a lawn service cutting the grass and an expensive walk behind mower in the garage unused.  We need to attach a For Sale sign to it and put it out on the curb.  I know everyone "does Facebook" but I do not.

I have never actually been interested in revisiting high school.  Or college. Or any of the half dozen places husband dragged all of us........ and we have the moving boxes in the Attic to prove it.

I need to visit the DMV.   My driver's license expires...and instead I might just apply for an ID...in case people want  to know who I am.   I will NOT be driving...  I know there are those of you my age who are still driving but I doubt any of you took a 5 or 10 year sabbatical from driving???????

I'm fine with being a passenger.

Daily Notes for Sunday May 10th. Happy Mother's Day.

More images of Peonies.
 

Well, I accidentally purchased a lovely bouquet of flowers on Friday's grocery shopping day.. Not realizing it was going to be Mother's Day..   And the internet provided the vase of Peonies.  Aren't they lovely? Serendipity.

My back seized up when I rolled out of bed this morning...I am walking standing and sitting with a bit of "ginger" as they say.  Gingerly.  I can hear my spine bones moving ...such an odd thing to have to notice. Your bones moving.

I discovered I have to wait until FALL to dig up and divide my own ancient peonies.  Research is a wonderful thing. And in the time in-between I will consider where the split segments will go...more will be near the front steps...where I see things more often than the back yard.  Perhaps they will all be out front.  I read they like limited amounts of sun??????

I am willing to ask for or hire help in the digging and dividing...  I am 80.8 months old.  I counted the number on my fingers.  Just today...before that I was UN-aware.

 I recall Gregor's phone calls when she was in her 80's...to come get something she could not reach, or lift. And also endlessly driving over to thread her sewing machine needles.   I was asked if I wanted her machine...after she passed...I said no...I liked the simple- ish one I had at home.  Gregor thanked me with some lunch...home cooked lunch.. then I would read the New York Times and she took a nice nap. I miss her. She died alone one afternoon standing by her sink in the kitchen... 

I wear her red sweater...the very heavily mended one. Keeps her close. She ran over to the library (where I was working) on 911 and I drove her back home and stayed until she stopped crying...memories of Pearl Harbor. She kept saying "was never supposed to happen again"

Son got me some ice cream for Mother's Day...I don't know what kind it is but will have some after Sunday Pizza.   Right now I am recording British Soccer... two games.  And then I'll return to my book- the plane just crashed and the woman has sewed up the large gash on the pilot's forehead..now she has to find shelter.  Or rather create shelter.  I've read the book a few times...the first time was the worst..but they survive.  So now it's easier.  But not by much.

Saturday, May 9th...I got the Flowers. Cloudy and Damp here in Maine...

 My sister in law mentioned dividing my very old peonies...since they don't do much these days but send up leaves.   Will involve a shovel...unless daughter digs them up for me...  dividing I can do.

With that on my mind I went looking for free images of peonies...and here is one.

My grandmother had a long bed of these flowers....and I spent lots of daylight time with my grandmother. so it's in my DNA I guess...to like plants and flowers. And remember my lovely grandmother. 

I'm more like her with each passing decade.  She colored her white hair...I don't.  She patched and mended everything recalling the time in life after she got off the boat in America when she had nothing.  I patch and mend my 25 cent pants and my Goodwill sweaters.  And will until there is only patches...

She was 16.  When she arrived in America.

Well, I have things to do and a nice start on something I have never done before...way out of my regular zone.  I had hoped to add Lactiva Threads to it...but they would hardly be noticed... so I'll go with something plain... and make a new Lactiva Thread Platform.

Enjoy the Beauty of this flower....drawn and painted by a very gifted artist.  Unknown. To Me..To you.

Daily Notes for Friday May 8th.... Sunshine outdoors but chilly inside the house.

 Today is Grocery Store and Library.  I am 90% sure I will purchase a bouquet of flowers...for myself.

I did a "bit too much" yesterday.  I was only going to pick up branches off the lawn..some were quite heavy and there were way more than in the front yard.....also the back lawn slopes down..so I was walking up and then down.  Way too much so I came in to rest halfway.. I wanted to get all the branches up before the guys did the first lawn mowing.

I also pulled these long straight stems out of the ground...  No idea what they are.  I'm sure more will come up this year. I found sharp pruners and removed tree branches that would be a problem for the guys cutting my grass.  The lawn in back is lush and green and much healthier than the one in front of the house.

My husband was the one who sharpened the pruners...now NO one will. I recall people dropping off pruners at the Greenhouse where we worked- to have them sharpened...nothing ever happened. Now I wish I had paid attention to how it's done.....

I have things on the grocery list to make a nice Italian meal for myself.  I'll wait a bit longer to try making Eggplant Parm.  But some nice pasta with meatballs sounds good.

That's it....some gardening exercise every other day---just 20 or 30 minutes... but only when it feels safe to do so......I'm not ready to walk to the end of the street and back as yet....that was my exercise program last year.

I got to watch my all time favorite episode of Bones... "Finder"....yesterday.  Delightful.

Daily notes for Thursday May 7th. Small amounts of sunshine but mostly cloudy...63 degrees

 Nice flowers. Anyone out there know their name???? I don't.

I got an email from somewhere saying "if your lawn greens up in the Spring" you do NOT need fertilizer. My lawn is exceptionally green. (way OVER fertilized)..  If some areas appear 'sluggish" feed them in the Fall.... not now.

I like this advice.  Also scoop finished compost from the bottom of the pile not the top.... I agree.

Been watching Season One of CSI: Vegas.   Good degree of CRINGE.  Clothing, Hair and Dialogue. 

British Soccer was very good... Arsenal. A favorite.  Huge thighs.  No clue who won.  Lots of yellow cards.

Oatmeal was very good- nice start to the day...first cup of English Tea. Also good.

I have not felt steady enough to go out back and pick up fallen branches...before the guys stop in to mow  the grass for the first time this year.  I don't want to be that old lady who has "fallen and I can't get up"..

My book, very close to the finish line is Linda Howard's Troublemaker.  I like this book very much.  At some point my Library will put in on the "Take Any Book Free" cart.... and I won't be able to read it anymore... the chance of me being around when it hits the free cart are slim to zero.  I might be the only person who checks it out......that should be a point in my favor?

I thought it was sunny enough to wear only a thermal shirt and a cotton work shirt. in the house.. I'm cold. I refuse to use up any of my almost $5 a gallon Heating Oil to get the heat up higher than 65.  I'll jog down to my room for my sweater.   I'll walk slowly befitting my AGE.

I am also WANTING  pan fried Pork Dumplings....An image of them arrived a few days ago in the feed...the image is right under these words....  they look so VERY DELICIOUS.  Nothing in MY freezer but I might check out the grocery store tomorrow.  My grocery is not known for a great Chinese Food Selection.  I also want ice cream.  I have to buy frozen yogurt......sigh.

It's pitiful to be me.  And my freezer is almost completely empty. Son tossed everything in there after reading "used by dates".  I said the dates were only a suggestion....

Today's News- Wednesday May 8th....Cloudy with a Good Chance of Rain...59 degrees

 I'm just done with breakfast oatmeal and feel like I need a NAP.   This is what I thought Old Age would be like...and it is fulfilling my expectations...I wake up tired.

I also wake up sad.  There were so many wonderful days and months and years in my Life but not that much now...I must have used up my allotment.   Now...not much happens.

I have some fallen branches to clean up in the back yard today... larger than the fallen branches in front of the house....so I will need to drag them off to the side of the yard.   The side that used to fill up with knee high water every Spring...and have little peepers..peeping... Riley (my dog) loved to take a flying leap into the water.  Swim a bit.  Water levels in Maine are very low....global warming, I guess.  Not as much snow.

I had a wonderful bowl of oatmeal this morning- still working on the cup of coffee...a bit bitter this morning. (even though it's 12:30 and no longer morning).....

I don't have any more sweater holes to mend.  But do need to find a sweater to wear over my faded cotton worksheet...or turn up the furnace.  I actually don't like turning up the furnace in MAY.  So I will hunt down my favorite sweater.  Or any sweater.

Well, I am on page 193 out of 384 in my Linda Howard book.  No gunshots have been fired as yet. I am going to look up her other books and hopefully find the ones I'd like to read again.  

I am still looking for a design to draw on cloth and fill with Deb L's fantastic dyed thread. The one I had decided on is nowhere to be found.....as is the case with so many of my things.

Daily notes- Tuesday May 5th....Sunshine here in Maine. 64 degrees.

 Oats. Again.  I have a large bowl of microwaved oats each morning.... Internet sent me a new image... Internet is stuck on oatmeal.  Weird but true.

I do not eat my oats with a glowing golden spoon.  Would if I could?  No.

I had a shower this morning and my hair is quite curly and bouncy after being washed. I still wish someone would check on my shower head as it is still spraying water up and also down...just a bit UP but that could change at any moment in Time....to a Full Hosing of the ceiling....which is NOT TILE.

I am not reading the book I thought I was going to be reading......you can laugh... go ahead.  Instead I have  checked out the one where the government hitman is living with the small town Police Chief...    I thought I was reading a different Linda Howard book.  I like this one. So it will work out okay.  I might look for the other one on Friday.. 3.5 days from now. Unless I already have it on my book shelf...I'll go look.  

My neighbor replied to my query regarding her landscaper....seems he is overloaded with customers and his back up guy is now loaded up with the HIS overload... No one is happy and no one  is taking ANY new business.   So my yard will remain untended for a third year in a row. The grass will get mowed. Period. After I grapple with downed tree limbs.

And some of you thought living in Maine was GREAT...No.  Just No.   

There are some large (fallen) tree branches that need moving before the lawn guys show up and mow around them....for sure they won't move them. Daughter would but she's at work.

One of my front yard bushy tree like shrubs has got little red/pink flowers on it this morning.  Not yesterday.  Wow.  Just noticed it as I glanced out the front window.... then stood up to make sure I wasn't imagining things.  Flowers?  Yes!!!!  Some Good Gardening News.

That's it....no clue as to what I will watch...but I think I will read until there is Soccer...

Monday, May 4th....back in business. Cloudy and 55 degrees here in Maine.

 Lots of Floral Images here on the "net" this morning.  My daffodils have gone by as they say and need dead heading.....now I did go out and do that last Spring...but not feeling like I want to this Spring.  I imagine that is the numerical activity difference between 79 and 80 years of age.

The Narrowing of the Limits of Age.  Perhaps the new subtitle of this Blog????

I stumbled upon a blog writer that was a daily addition to my computer usage quite awhile ago...and there she was...I read her very very long post and did NOT add her to my list.  Been there ...done that....wasn't going to be able to follow any of her leads..... sigh.  "A Way to Garden"

Son and I made Sunday Pizza yesterday- as fantastic as usual.....we also tucked my two sweet potatoes in the hot oven....I get all sorts of good things from the bright orange insides of the potatoes.  They are also a nice container for melting Swiss cheese.  Some Vintage CSI: Miami completed the day.

I've lost this post twice now and had trouble getting back here....so I think I might stop while I am ahead so to speak.   No idea how I will spend today....but reading seems to be uppermost... I never did read ANYTHING yesterday......I was mending the elbow of my old sweater and then noticed the cuff on my right sleeve was dangling...so that needed repair.  Which involved looking for the small piece of black wool I use as backing to the embroidery floss.  One can loose ones self in the Sewing Room...So much  to sort thru....in the end...black wool was right next to my couch.  Where I used it last.  The sleeve cuff of my sweater is now heavily reinforced.  Ready for another Winter....NOW to search for the remainder of that black wool sweater........

I have on a faded blue work shirt....not a Lactiva Dye Works one...just an old stained one...from some store that no longer exists.....one or two I held back so they retain- their color (blue)- and are still in "clean" condition... the others are all worn, faded almost white blue, stained and patched and soft...not threadbare as yet.... but...I might need to add a sweater.....it's gotten colder as I sat here typing.. 

Well, I need wool socks and a sweater.....even in May--Maine is cold.

Daily Notes- Sunday May 3rd. Sunny with Clouds.

 I had trouble with the keyboard and mouse and didn't;t list...more tomorrow.

Daily Notes for Saturday May 2nd. Rain, clouds and a new desk calendar page.

 I've spent some time pasting a few things on this new calendar month. some line drawings I made and a few other things....

I love the simplicity of this kitchen.  I'd get rid of the small carpet.  I'd like a window over the sink. Or across from the sink like mine is.

I had a whole post written and decided I didn't like any of it.   I'm at this point...where I dislike almost everything and think most things are too tedious to actually get involved in....... or are so beyond my physical capabilities that sitting on the couch is all I can do...safely.

I haven't chosen a book to read as yet.....I did get a Baker and Taylor book off the FREE BOOK cart.- a book the library "rented' instead of buying...I guess they decided not to return it to its owner either. It's  a mystery thriller type....I have a few in the bookcase- not this author though.  I checked out two Linda Howard books yesterday...both are creepy.  But I know what happens  (read multiple times) no one dies. so I am okay reading the safe pages and skipping the not safe ones.

I bought Tessa Bailey's new book...Catch Her If You Can...  got to page 31 and that's as far as I am going. I had high hopes for it being as great as the earlier books.....not happening.

So that's it for today...